October 5, 2022 - UMW Newsletter
Hello United Museum Workers!
“Is it pay day for you yet?”
September 23rd marked the opening of the 58th Carnegie International, entitled Is it morning for you yet? As with all endeavors at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, this show would not be possible without the United Museum Workers and our collaborators. Years of planning and months of installation led to the opening celebration, and the work does not end there. Our coworkers on the front lines, behind-the-scenes, and in the galleries will continue to engage visitors and maintain over 800 objects on display throughout the run of the exhibition.
We are proud to present this show in collaboration with the participating artists and our colleagues as the latest edition of the Carnegie International, a Pittsburgh tradition which began its legacy in 1896. Click here for more information about the Carnegie International and some of the people involved, and be sure to see it for yourself!
We celebrate all of our members and colleagues who come together to design, build, interpret, protect, and share exhibits of art and artifacts for our visitors. We know the physical and emotional toll that a project like this can bring. In particular, those responsible for the installation and maintenance of this exhibition worked nights and weekends on top of our regular workdays to make sure the exhibit would open on time.
Carnegie Magazine recently published a note from CMP President Steven Knapp in which he credited the incredible rebound in memberships following the losses during COVID "in part to the work of our museum staff, especially those on the front lines who make our visitors feel welcome and those who create both on-site and online exhibitions and programing that engage people of all ages and interests."
If museum leadership really wants to acknowledge our hard work and align to the values the International claims to embody, they should commit to paying all of us a living wage.
What We Accomplished at the Carnegie International Opening Gala
During the Carnegie International opening gala, a crowd of union workers from UMW, the United Library Workers, the Pitt Faculty Union, and other USW siblings rallied in front of the Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History. We came together in support of our Bargaining Committee’s recent living wage proposal to CMP management. We gave out informational leaflets and stickers to spread solidarity among the gala attendees, many of whom were shocked to learn that so many of us make less than $15/hour. Some international artists, curators, and donors came out to our rally and were moved to give impromptu statements of support to us in our fight. The May Day Band played live music and led us in song. The evening concluded with the USW bat light shining the words “LIVING WAGE NOW!” on the CMOA facade.
“Is it pay day for you yet?”
September 23rd marked the opening of the 58th Carnegie International, entitled Is it morning for you yet? As with all endeavors at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, this show would not be possible without the United Museum Workers and our collaborators. Years of planning and months of installation led to the opening celebration, and the work does not end there. Our coworkers on the front lines, behind-the-scenes, and in the galleries will continue to engage visitors and maintain over 800 objects on display throughout the run of the exhibition.
We are proud to present this show in collaboration with the participating artists and our colleagues as the latest edition of the Carnegie International, a Pittsburgh tradition which began its legacy in 1896. Click here for more information about the Carnegie International and some of the people involved, and be sure to see it for yourself!
We celebrate all of our members and colleagues who come together to design, build, interpret, protect, and share exhibits of art and artifacts for our visitors. We know the physical and emotional toll that a project like this can bring. In particular, those responsible for the installation and maintenance of this exhibition worked nights and weekends on top of our regular workdays to make sure the exhibit would open on time.
Carnegie Magazine recently published a note from CMP President Steven Knapp in which he credited the incredible rebound in memberships following the losses during COVID "in part to the work of our museum staff, especially those on the front lines who make our visitors feel welcome and those who create both on-site and online exhibitions and programing that engage people of all ages and interests."
If museum leadership really wants to acknowledge our hard work and align to the values the International claims to embody, they should commit to paying all of us a living wage.
What We Accomplished at the Carnegie International Opening Gala
During the Carnegie International opening gala, a crowd of union workers from UMW, the United Library Workers, the Pitt Faculty Union, and other USW siblings rallied in front of the Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History. We came together in support of our Bargaining Committee’s recent living wage proposal to CMP management. We gave out informational leaflets and stickers to spread solidarity among the gala attendees, many of whom were shocked to learn that so many of us make less than $15/hour. Some international artists, curators, and donors came out to our rally and were moved to give impromptu statements of support to us in our fight. The May Day Band played live music and led us in song. The evening concluded with the USW bat light shining the words “LIVING WAGE NOW!” on the CMOA facade.
Check out our press coverage in the Pittsburgh City Paper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Hyperallergic!
Labor Day Memories!
We know that when we stand together, we win together. UMW celebrated this Labor Day by taking to the streets with our union siblings from the United Steelworkers in a show of the far-reaching power of the workers of Pittsburgh!
Labor Day Memories!
We know that when we stand together, we win together. UMW celebrated this Labor Day by taking to the streets with our union siblings from the United Steelworkers in a show of the far-reaching power of the workers of Pittsburgh!
Check out our social media for more photos from our fellow United Museum Workers!
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Questions? Ideas? We want to hear from you! Write to us at unitedmuseumworkers.usw@gmail.com. Our strength as a union lies in our transparent communication and shared experience. Let’s chat!
