The Shed (photo by Zachary Small for Hyperallergic)
Front of house staff at the Shed in New York City have formed a collective bargaining unit represented by Local 2110 UAW (United Auto Workers), according to an e-mail statement jointly authored by UAW and the institution. The Shed’s Visitor Experience Associates filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board two weeks ago in the hopes of improving their conditions of employment. Today, the Shed announced its decision to voluntarily waive the need for an election and recognize the union following independent verification by the American Arbitration Association.
“The Shed fully supports our talented and hard-working visitor experience staff in their decision to organize,” said Maryann Jordan, the institution’s chief operating officer, in the statement. “We welcome UAW Local 2110 and anticipate forging a constructive relationship with their representatives as we have done with the several other unions already in place at The Shed.”
Labor unions to which other employees at the Shed belong include Local 1 – Theatrical Protective Union, IATSE; Local 32BJ – Service Employees International Union; Local 94 – International Union of Operating Engineers; Local 764 – Theatrical Wardrobe Union, IATSE; Local 798 – Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Union, IATSE; and Local 817 – Theatrical Teamsters, IBT.
The Shed’s Visitor Experience department comprises approximately 75 part-time, hourly workers, including ticket sellers, ushers, greeters, gallery assistants, and other audience service roles. In an interview with Hyperallergic, an employee described “ambiguity regarding policies and expectations” and working conditions that “were not up to par.”
Maida Rosenstein, President of Local 2110 UAW, welcomed the Shed workers to the union. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with The Shed on union recognition for Visitor Experience staff and we look forward to constructive labor negotiations in the near future,” she said in the e-mail.
The Shed and Local 2110 UAW expect to begin contract negotiations in the upcoming weeks.
