PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A handful of Philadelphia Museum of Art workers picketed before dawn, representing nearly 200 employees who officially went on strike Monday morning.
The strike comes after two years of trying to work out a contract with the museum. What’s been offered to them so far isn’t enough, said museum educator Adam Rizzo, who serves as the Local 397 president of AFSCME DC 47.
“I’d love to go into work, but I’d also really love to be paid a living wage,” he said. “We need to make sure that people can work at the museum and don’t have to work a second job just to survive.”
While Rizzo said some progress has been made in recent talks, they are still apart regarding pay increases and benefits.
In a statement, museum officials said they are disappointed that union workers have chosen to strike, but they respect their right to do so. They added, they did propose wage increases and other offers to union leaders at a recent negotiations meeting.
Museum officials argue their benefits are better than what’s offered at most museums and nonprofits. The museum said it had several offers on the table, including one in which employees would see a total wage increase of 11% by July 2024.
About 180 unionized Art Museum employees went on a one-day strike earlier this month as a warning. Now, they’re on the picket line again, ready for the long haul, if needed.
The decision to go on strike wasn’t an easy one, Rizzo noted.
“I’m the museum educator. I have classes [Monday] that I want to teach. I’d love to go into work, but I’d also really love to be paid a living wage.”
It is not known how long the strike will last. The museum said the building will remain open.
Rizzo said the union has money in a strike fund to help employees who plan to skip work this week for the picket line.
Museum officials said they remain committed to the collective bargaining process.
Related
