Since @philamuseum has chosen not to recognize the #PMAUnion , today we start hearings with the National Labor Relations Board. Morgan Lewis will make leadership's arguments first. In pre-COVID times, these hearings would be public, so we’ll share updates with #PMAUnionHearing

1st argument from museum leadership at the #PMAUnionHearing : museum workers don’t belong together! They claim the #PMAUnion should instead be split into 2 unions: one for “core” employees and one for “non-core.” (2 unions gives workers less leverage)

Museum leadership argument: there’s a huge difference between "core" employees and "non-core," who "are not directly involved with the art or the protection of it." We know better! We have more in common than we don’t, and our solidarity is our strength. #PMAUnionHearing

We know development fundraises for "core" programs; retail coordinates with curators; and VS, facilities + finance make everything possible. Exhibitions come with digital interactives—but museum leadership argues the tech team isn’t "involved with the art"? #PMAUnionHearing

This afternoon during the #PMAUnionHearing , director Timothy Rub said: “none of the non-core groups focus on the core mission of the museum.” Reminder: “non-core” includes visitor services (VS), technology, membership, retail, development, facilities, etc.

TR: “The mission of the museum is to acquire, preserve, and interpret works of art...for the benefit of the education of our visitors...not only the people who walk through the doors, but also those online.” But argues VS, tech, comms not “core”? #PMAUnionHearing

During the #PMAUnionHearing , Director TR stated: - Mission includes online visitors - Adapting to new technology is key for museums - Digital media is important to present contemporary art But Information and Interpretative Technologies dept is not “core” to the mission?

The #PMAUnionHearing has adjourned for the day. We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates. Thanks for tuning in!

@PMA_Union As a former visitor services assistant at the PMA, I always knew museum leadership didn’t value me or my work. It is strangely satisfying to hear them say it.

@PMA_Union Is this a joke? All departments are core! In a museum, all departments need each other to thrive. There is not one without the others.

@PMA_Union And registrars are neither core nor non core? What about Preparators?

@PMA_Union gross. How do you even HAVE a museum without facilities, members or visitor services??? How is that “non-core” lol