On Thursday, 27 October 2022, workers at the Columbus Museum of Art voted to form a union, in affiliation with AFSCME Council 8. The vote comes two months after a late August announcement by the workers of their intent to unionize and a request to management to voluntarily recognize the union, forgoing the necessity of a vote. Though early reports suggested that museum management was open to the union, no voluntary recognition was forthcoming. The vote results in a 46-2 decision to form the union, per the NLRB filing.

The push to unionize grew out of the workers’ desire to have a stronger voice in the workplace. Like at many cultural institutions during the pandemic, the inequalities already present between management and workers in the workplace were magnified. The employees formed the CMAWU (Columbus Museum of Art Workers United) in response, with the aim of forming a collective bargaining unit to negotiate better working conditions.

If the CMAWU was looking for a local model of organizing, it found one in the nearby Wexner Center for the Arts, which announced its intent to unionize earlier in the year. The Columbus art institutions join a national trend of cultural workers riding the union wave in places like the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and more.

Given the relatively short turnaround time between the announcement of intent and the union vote, the CMAWU are hoping that management sustains the momentum by heading to the negotiation table. Via Artforum:

“It’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience to be part of our union campaign, and I know it's because the Columbus Museum of Art is an important part of this city’s community,” said CWAMU member and visitor services staffer RG Barton in a statement. “I built really strong relationships not just with my coworkers but also the community who have stood with us throughout this process. We hope they will continue to stand with us as we begin negotiating our contract.”

Initial comments from CMA leadership are positive, but the proof will be a ratified contract that is amenable to all stakeholders. A spokesperson for the museum remarked via NBC 4 that the institution looks forward to a constructive relationship with the union:

“We recognize the importance of boldly exploring new ways of thinking and doing and look forward to building a stronger, better Museum for generations to come,” the CMA spokesperson said.