Workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art launched a one-day strike on Friday, 16 September to call attention to stalled contract negotiations. Hump Day News reported the original strike authorization and provided background on the two years of fruitless negotiations between the PMA (Philadelphia Museum of Art) union and management in our previous coverage. The PMA says that Museum leadership is not coming to the negotiating table in good faith.

Is Museum leadership dragging its heels at the negotiating table? Length of contract talks can vary, but examine a comparable case: the contract talks for the Museum of Fine Arts worker union lasted 18 months. Hardly quick, but the PMA Union is now looking at a two years of little progress. Delay is a known tactic used by management to kill union momentum.

The workforce of the PMA union voted by overwhelming majority to form their union two years ago in affiliation with Local 397, part of AFSCME District Council 47. In late August of this year the same workforce voted – again, by overwhelming majority – to authorize a one-day strike. The PMA is characterizing the action as a “warning” strike, indicating that other worker actions may be on the horizon if the present strike does not jumpstart negotiations.

The strike began this morning and will continue all day. Picket lines have been established at multiple locations around the museum. Donuts are on hand to power strikers through the day. And, of course, both Scabby the Rat and the Fat Cat are on the scene to lend their support. You can support the PMA union strike fund here.