Employees of the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle voted to form a union, with 16 voting in favor and one opposed. The new organization will be called MOHAI Workers United and will be represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. The results are expected to be officially certified by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board in the coming days.
The union initially planned to organize 32 employees from most of the museum’s departments, but after the vote was split into two categories, about 24 people will join. Workers in “nonprofessional” positions — in education, programs, special events and visitor services — supported unionization. Among employees classified as professionals, including exhibition, web management and archive specialists, the vote was evenly split: two in favor and two opposed. The union said that this distinction does not always reflect workers’ levels of training and experience.
Organizers intend to seek better working conditions, citing understaffing, high turnover, low pay amid Seattle’s rising cost of living and the lack of benefits for temporary employees. They also want to change management practices and workplace culture so employees can speak openly about their concerns and suggestions. MOHAI said the division of employees into two groups was determined by the National Labor Relations Board, and that separate secret ballots were intended to give every eligible employee the opportunity to make a free choice. Unionization at MOHAI follows similar victories at the National Nordic Museum and Seattle Art Museum, reflecting a broader organizing trend among museum workers.
Based on: MOHAI workers vote in favor of unionizing