Unionized employees at the Brooklyn Museum, American Folk Art Museum and Whitney Museum of American Art have voted to authorize potential strike action as contract negotiations continue.
UAW Local 2110, which represents staff across the three institutions, said members gave their bargaining committees authority to call a strike if agreements are not reached. No strike date has been announced, and discussions remain active.
Focus on sustainable cultural careers
The negotiations centre on wages, health-care access and long-term job stability for museum professionals working in visitor services, education, curatorial teams, technology and other departments. Union representatives have highlighted the challenge of building sustainable careers in New York City's high-cost environment.
At the Whitney, staff previously secured protections and pay improvements through their first collective agreement. The museum said it remains committed to good-faith bargaining and to reaching a fair, practical contract for all parties.
The American Folk Art Museum also stated that it is working toward a mutually beneficial agreement. Its unionized workforce spans multiple operational and public-facing roles across its Manhattan and Queens locations.
At the Brooklyn Museum, employees have emphasized the importance of reliable health care, fair compensation and stability that allows cultural workers to focus on their public mission. Recent support from New York City helped the institution reconsider previously planned workforce reductions.
The votes underline a broader conversation about how museums can strengthen the people who connect collections, research and creative programming with the public. Constructive agreements could help shape a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for cultural institutions.
