OMCA Voluntarily Recognizes Union of OMCA Workers United

The Oakland Museum of California voluntarily recognized OMCA Workers United, the museum’s first union, on Thursday. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 57 will now act as the bargaining representative and union for over 60 museum employees. In February, a group of museum workers announced their plans to form a union and its intention to seek better wages, affordable health benefits and a voice in anti-racist practices.

“We deeply value all of our employees and are committed to ensuring equitable compensation and a positive workplace culture for all of our staff,” said OMCA Executive Director and CEO Lori Fogarty in a joint press release with AFSCME.

Many local museum employees are unionized, including staff at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the California Academy of Sciences and the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco. The formation of OMCA Workers United follows a wave of recent organizing efforts at museums across the country.

OMCA Workers United represents a range of staff positions, including preparators, curators, designers, ticketing and retail associates, and program developers.

Union organizing committee member and spokesperson Azayza Jimenez said the union is looking forward to working with the museum on upholding the institution’s values.

“It’s exciting and assuring that we’ve come to an agreement with museum management and can move forward together,” Jimenez states in the press release.

When OMCA workers initially announced their intent to unionize, they specifically referred to the increasing cost of living in the Bay Area and its consequences for museum employees. Organizers also voiced a desire to be included in decision-making surrounding work culture, including the implementation of strategies meant to combat structural racism.

Now, the union enters the longer process of forming their bargaining committee and beginning contract negotiations with the museum.