PMA Workers on Strike

Start: Friday, September 16, 2022 7:00 AM

On Friday, September 16, members of AFSCME DC47, Local 397, PMA Union will engage in a one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike. This action comes in the wake of a 99% vote on August 30 by union members authorizing the Local 397 executive board to call a strike, and the filing of a lengthy Unfair Labor Practice charge against museum management.

The PMA Union has been in contract negotiations with museum management since October 2020, after winning our union election by a landslide 89% in August of that year. In our Unfair Labor Practice charge, we allege that during negotiations museum management has violated federal labor law and engaged in union-busting tactics.

Since that vote, museum management has neither remedied their Unfair Labor Practices nor come to the bargaining table with offers that address our membership’s priorities. Friday’s ULP strike is a warning to museum management. The PMA Union’s executive board is authorized to call for further action if necessary.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a symbol of Philadelphia, and PMA workers are responsible for making the art museum the great civic institution it has always been.

We're calling on our union siblings and community allies to come out and support these workers in demanding the fair pay, job security, improved benefits, and RESPECT they deserve.


How can you support striking workers?

  • Join a picket line! Report to our sign-in table outside the North Entrance of the PMA's Main Building (location labeled on map below) between 8am and 7pm this Friday. We'll have signs, but you're welcome to bring your own. We suggest messages like, "Fair Contract Now," "Fair Pay for PMA Workers," and "Solidarity with PMA Workers."
  • Drop off water or treats at any of our picket locations around the Main Building, the Perelman Building, or the Rodin Museum.
  • Boost our social media posts and use #PMAStrike. You can find us @pma_union on Instagram and Twitter.
  • Donate to the Local 397 Strike Fund at tinyurl.com/397StrikeFund.
  • Share this event with your network!


Event by
Sarah Shaw
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by
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Philadelphia, PA