On Sunday, October 16, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or the PMA, Union reached an agreement with the PMA management board after a historic 19-day strike.
PMA Union members went on strike on September 23 after filing eight Unfair Labor Charges with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the museum of illegal union-busting activities. In total, over two hundred PMA Union members went on strike, fighting for higher wages, parental leave, and health care.
Despite the PMA management claiming that they would not negotiate with the union demands until the proposals were reduced, contracts were met on Sunday, October 16 after 99% of union members voted to ratify agreements. All objectives of the union were achieved.
The minimum wage increased from $15 an hour to $16.75 an hour and the minimum annual salary was raised to $42,000 a year. Salaries of all employees will be increased by 14% over three years through six raises. Most employees received a health care reduction of over 50%, and four weeks of paid parental leave have been established. In addition, there has been the creation of an official pay equity committee at the museum.
On Monday, October 17, strikers returned back to work with their fists raised.
