Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Staff at Los Angeles’ Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits have gone public with their intent to join AFSCME District Council 36.
As part of AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United (CWU) organizing campaign, workers are joining together under the name Natural History Museum & Tar Pits Workers Union (NHMTPWU). The bargaining unit would cover some 300 performers, engineers, educators, guest relations associates, and other workers who are seeking improvements like higher wages and more workplace transparency.
“As staff, we provide valuable services to our Los Angeles community and work hard to keep our institutions running,” workers said in a public letter that urged management to voluntarily recognize the union. “We believe that the power of decision making must be shared with all voices, including ours, across various departments and diverse roles within the institution.”