Whitney Museum Union Ratifies Contract on Eve of Strike
Workers were prepared to begin their strike during the preview week of a major Roy Lichtenstein retrospective.
The Whitney Museum of American Art avoided a potential strike on Sunday, October 4, as its unionized staff secured a final contract agreement. The museum's staff was prepared to protest outside the institution starting from October 5, impacting VIP and member previews for the Roy Lichtenstein retrospective, set to open on October 11. The union was one of four New York City museum labor groups under UAW Local 2110 that opted for strike action amid ongoing contract negotiations.
However, the Whitney union reached a three-year deal, securing a 14.75% pay raise over four years and a new minimum wage of $26 per hour for staff in visitor experience, membership, and retail roles. This wage floor is expected to undergo regular increases. The agreement also introduced inaugural longevity bonuses for employees with over a decade of service, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, expanded bereavement leave, and enhanced health and safety measures.
Union representative Erika Wentworth praised the solidarity among union members, stating, "Solidarity across all ranks of our union made a huge difference at the end." She added, "The Museum knew we were serious about striking, and in these final days, we made significant progress."
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