December 17, 2021 - UMW Newsletter
Happy Holidays from the United Museum Workers!
We have had an exciting first year as a union. Thank you to everyone who has helped our new union develop into a useful, effective resource for all workers at CMP. Of course there is much more work to do together to make our workplace safe and equitable for all. As we enter into 2022, let’s take the time to reflect on everything we have already accomplished.
A Year In Review
December 15th marked the first anniversary of our historic union election victory! With 79% of voters choosing “Yes,” the United Museum Workers stand as one of the largest museum unions in the country.
Legally recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, UMW maintains the authority to request information from the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh regarding decision making that impacts our work and wellbeing. We as individuals hold the right to discuss our unionization efforts and show our pride through union insignia at work.
We started 2021 off strong by forming a Contract Action Team (“CAT”). This network of volunteer peers from across components plans meetings, distributes information, and acts as a resource for colleagues experiencing issues at work. The CAT circulated our Bargaining Survey, which gave each of us the opportunity to voice our highest priorities in negotiating a contract (Collective Bargaining Agreement or “CBA”) with CMP.
Our peer-elected Bargaining Committee used the Bargaining Survey to create contract proposals aimed at improving our working conditions and increasing our say in shaping them. Beginning on September 1st, the Bargaining Committee has sat down with CMP twice per month to advocate for our highest priorities during contract negotiations. The negotiations have followed typical union bargaining practices by beginning with non-economic issues.
In the meantime, our union has bargained for many improvements for our workforce. Based on your feedback and advocacy, we’ve negotiated with CMP on:
These successes are great examples of our union’s strength and our ability to work together across components to improve our pre-contract working conditions. We realize that many issues, especially health and safety, are ongoing. We will address other priorities, such as wages for the wider bargaining unit, in a contract ratified by the membership. We encourage you to continue relaying concerns and questions through your CAT Coordinator or our email to ensure your voice is heard.
And we’ve celebrated each other in solidarity along the way! We took to our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and hosted a virtual Visibility Day in honor of Labor Day. On October 4th, we gathered for an evening of food, drink, toasts, and activities at our first ever in-person potluck.
We Crashed the Carnegies! On November 6th and 7th, we distributed buttons, flyers, and over 20 dozen donuts to our union colleagues as well as friends in custodial, security, and the United Library Workers. We created a beautiful poster and conducted a series of speeches from UMW, ULW, USW, 32BJ, and the new Union of Pitt Faculty.
Only one year in, we, the United Museum Workers, have created safer, more equitable, and inclusive museums for everyone. It’s all because of YOU, and this is only the beginning! We formed our union by raising our individual voices for a shared mission. That’s how we’ll ratify our Collective Bargaining Agreement; by standing united for the museums and communities we care about.
In case you missed it…
Check out the latest update from our Bargaining Committee, written by the BC’s co-chair, Shawn Watrous of CMOA.
Want to get more involved? Join the CAT as we pursue our first contract!
Fill out our Activism Menu or write to us at unitedmuseumworkers.usw@gmail.com. Our strength as a union lies in our transparent communication and shared experience. Let’s chat!
We have had an exciting first year as a union. Thank you to everyone who has helped our new union develop into a useful, effective resource for all workers at CMP. Of course there is much more work to do together to make our workplace safe and equitable for all. As we enter into 2022, let’s take the time to reflect on everything we have already accomplished.
A Year In Review
December 15th marked the first anniversary of our historic union election victory! With 79% of voters choosing “Yes,” the United Museum Workers stand as one of the largest museum unions in the country.
Legally recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, UMW maintains the authority to request information from the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh regarding decision making that impacts our work and wellbeing. We as individuals hold the right to discuss our unionization efforts and show our pride through union insignia at work.
We started 2021 off strong by forming a Contract Action Team (“CAT”). This network of volunteer peers from across components plans meetings, distributes information, and acts as a resource for colleagues experiencing issues at work. The CAT circulated our Bargaining Survey, which gave each of us the opportunity to voice our highest priorities in negotiating a contract (Collective Bargaining Agreement or “CBA”) with CMP.
Our peer-elected Bargaining Committee used the Bargaining Survey to create contract proposals aimed at improving our working conditions and increasing our say in shaping them. Beginning on September 1st, the Bargaining Committee has sat down with CMP twice per month to advocate for our highest priorities during contract negotiations. The negotiations have followed typical union bargaining practices by beginning with non-economic issues.
In the meantime, our union has bargained for many improvements for our workforce. Based on your feedback and advocacy, we’ve negotiated with CMP on:
- Instituting the first raise to the minimum wage in nearly four years
- Steering departmental reorganizations, including pay raises, title changes, and promotions
- Gaining access for CMNH Interpreters to take part in virtual training and tours
- Ensuring several health and safety protections for frontline staff by:
- Strengthening masking and social distancing policy
- Increasing consistent signage across components
- Advocating for additional security presence
- Securing updated radio systems
These successes are great examples of our union’s strength and our ability to work together across components to improve our pre-contract working conditions. We realize that many issues, especially health and safety, are ongoing. We will address other priorities, such as wages for the wider bargaining unit, in a contract ratified by the membership. We encourage you to continue relaying concerns and questions through your CAT Coordinator or our email to ensure your voice is heard.
And we’ve celebrated each other in solidarity along the way! We took to our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and hosted a virtual Visibility Day in honor of Labor Day. On October 4th, we gathered for an evening of food, drink, toasts, and activities at our first ever in-person potluck.
We Crashed the Carnegies! On November 6th and 7th, we distributed buttons, flyers, and over 20 dozen donuts to our union colleagues as well as friends in custodial, security, and the United Library Workers. We created a beautiful poster and conducted a series of speeches from UMW, ULW, USW, 32BJ, and the new Union of Pitt Faculty.
Only one year in, we, the United Museum Workers, have created safer, more equitable, and inclusive museums for everyone. It’s all because of YOU, and this is only the beginning! We formed our union by raising our individual voices for a shared mission. That’s how we’ll ratify our Collective Bargaining Agreement; by standing united for the museums and communities we care about.
In case you missed it…
Check out the latest update from our Bargaining Committee, written by the BC’s co-chair, Shawn Watrous of CMOA.
Want to get more involved? Join the CAT as we pursue our first contract!
Fill out our Activism Menu or write to us at unitedmuseumworkers.usw@gmail.com. Our strength as a union lies in our transparent communication and shared experience. Let’s chat!
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