Tacoma is a union town. Stephen Rue and Carrie Morton from Tacoma Art Museum Workers United share about forming a union at the Tacoma Art Museum. They share about the conditions at the museum that led them to decide to form a union, their long journey to being recognized, and what’s involved as they go to the bargaining table to negotiate their first contract.

In this episode of the Move to Tacoma podcast, part of Channel 253, the focus shifts to the unique dynamics and challenges faced by workers at cultural institutions, specifically the Tacoma Art Museum, and their journey toward forming a union. We hear from Stephen Ru and Carrie Morton, two museum workers at the forefront of the unionization effort.

The episode focusses on the unionization process at the Tacoma Art Museum. Both Steven and Carrie share their backgrounds, including their initial motivations to move to Tacoma and their respective roles at the museum. Steven serves as the Lead Preparator, involved in the hands-on aspects of art installation and exhibition design, while Carrie, initially part of the visitor services team, is now the store manager, curating art from local artists for the museum shop.

The conversation delves into the broader issue of worker rights and conditions in the arts sector, highlighting the often overlooked fact that passionate involvement in cultural work—such as in museums—doesn’t always equate to fair compensation or working conditions. This segment of the discussion sheds light on the misconception that the prestige of working in cultural institutions can substitute for adequate pay, leading to the realization among the museum staff that forming a union was a necessary step toward advocating for their rights and improving their workplace.

Stephen and Carrie talk about how Tacoma is a Union Town with a history of strong unions. They share what they’ve learned about forming a union in Tacoma. Especially the importance of solidarity, the power of collective action, and the impact of community support in their unionization journey. The union’s efforts were not only about addressing immediate concerns like wages and working conditions but also about broader aspirations for equity and justice within the museum and the cultural sector at large.

The podcast captures the emotional and logistical complexities of the unionization process, including the engagement with the museum’s administration and board, the role of external union organizations in providing support and guidance, and the pivotal moments that galvanized the museum workers to persist in their efforts despite obstacles.

The successful formation of the union at TAM stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the possibility of positive change in the workplace in Tacoma and in museums across the country.

The post Tacoma Art Museum Workers United with Stephen Rue & Carrie Morton appeared first on Move to Tacoma.