Unionized Guards Strike at Seattle Art Museum
157Dec. 15, 2024
Security guards at theSeattle Art Museum(SAM) have been on strike since November 29 following the breakdown of contract negotiations that have spanned more than two years. Also known as visitor service officers (VSOs), the guards organized as the worker-led union SAM VSO in 2022, after the institution prevented them from organizing under the aegis of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 116. SAM VSO began bargaining with the museum for their inaugural contract in August 2022. Workers and management failed to reach a resolution in the fifth and latest round of bargaining, with SAM making what itdescribedas its “last, best and final offer” on October 31, and the union rejecting it on November 19, ten days ahead of the strike.
Among the concessions sought by SAM VSO, which represents roughly sixty-five employees, are higher hourly wages, better health care benefits, the restoration of retirement benefits that were cut as the Covid-19 pandemic raged, and a union security clause, which would mandate all department employees to join the union and pay dues, thus ensuring the future of the union and protecting against union-busting efforts.
SAM’s latest hourly wage offer is $23.25; the union has asked for $24.75, down from the $27 they earlier sought. The $23.25 figure represents SAM’s fourth offer to date, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Seattle Times in 2023 reported that an individual would need to make $40.38 per hour in order to be able to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city.
Workers have been picketing the museum since the strike, and on December 5 staged a rally to bring attention to their cause. SAM has hired an outside security company, and the museum remains open. The museum has given SAM VSO until December 20 to accept its latest offer.