As of March 6, 2024, the MASS MoCA Union is on strike to urge MASS MoCA Management to pay their workers a living wage. Send a letter to Director Kristy Edmunds and Deputy Director Tracy Moore to let them know that you support the union's efforts.

From the MASS MoCA Union website:

After approximately five months at the bargaining table, the MASS MoCA Union bargaining committee has called for an indefinite strike, beginning on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Members of the unit have voted in 97% favor for the strike.

Management’s current offer of 3.5% does not keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living, leaving our members unable to cover the expenses of living in Berkshire County. By raising pay to something more livable, MASS MoCA would not only be supporting its employees, but helping lift the community of North Adams and surrounding areas.

We unionized because our members love MASS MoCA and we believe in the ability for the Museum to be an equitable place where workers can survive. We are striking for the same reason – we believe the museum can do better and we want our members to feel secure in their ability to work and live.

Here is the letter template to Management, which we encourage you to personalize, available once you enter your contact info and "START WRITING":

I am writing to you today as a passionate supporter of MASS MoCA. However, I find your treatment of your workers deeply concerning.

It has come to my attention that the majority of MASS MoCA Union members are not being paid a living wage. As someone who loves the museum, I believe that it is crucial for its workers to be treated with dignity and respect. It is disheartening to learn that many of the people who are responsible for making MASS MoCA the extraordinary place it is today are struggling to make ends meet.

I stand in full support of the MASS MoCA Union and their efforts to secure a living wage for all workers. The contributions of these workers are crucial to the success and reputation of the museum, and they deserve to be compensated accordingly. Fair wages are not only a matter of basic decency but also essential for maintaining a thriving and equitable community.

Out of solidarity, I will not be visiting MASS MoCA until the members of the union are granted the living wage they rightfully deserve.

I urge you to listen to the union’s concerns and take immediate action to address their demands. By doing so, you will not only uphold the values of fairness and justice but also ensure the museum's ongoing legacy as a beacon of contemporary art and cultural exchange.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Image above courtesy of the MASS MoCA Union.