AKG Workers United Files for a Union Election, Files Unfair Labor Charges with the Labor Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2023 

PRESS CONTACT
Buffaloakgworkersunited@gmail.com

AKG WORKERS UNITED FILES FOR A UNION ELECTION
FILES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES WITH THE LABOR BOARD 

BUFFALO – On January 3, workers at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Workers filed for front of house positions, including: Visitor Experience, Facilities, and Food & Beverage employees.

“We are organizing because we want to have a voice on the job, build a democratic workplace, and improve the material working conditions,” said Vincent Klie, a bartender at the AKG. “The AKG is a pillar of the Buffalo community and we want to make the AKG the best museum it can be for both workers and our guests.” 

Some of the material conditions workers hope to address with a union include issues like pay equity and having consistent breaks to be able access water and use the restroom in a timely manner.

Workers originally launched their campaign on November 16 with hopes that AKG leadership would either voluntarily recognize the union or agree to a non-NLRB election which would include Preservation & Safety employees, the museum’s security guards. This is because under current labor law, security guards are excluded from organizing with other workers unless an employer voluntarily recognizes the entire unit. 

“We were hoping that AKG leadership would respect our right to organize, especially as an institution that has received ample public funds from taxpayers. However, their actions have unfortunately said otherwise,” said Sophie Goodwin, a Visitor Experience Associate at the AKG. “For example, the AKG has hired Jackson Lewis, one of the most notorious union-busting law firms in the country, as their legal counsel. This is the same law firm that has represented some of the most anti-union companies in America, like Amazon and Tesla.” 

“Although it seemed that AKG leadership was originally open to having a non-NLRB election with us, it quickly became apparent that they were stalling. For instance, AKG leadership was not prepared to discuss what an election would look like until January 10 with no clear timeline on when they would agree to schedule an election” said Natalie Hayes, a shift lead and barista at the AKG. “We felt like we had no other choice than to go forward and file an official petition to unionize with the NLRB to ensure our right to organize.” 

Workers at the AKG have also filed charges with the NLRB over actions that are consistent with a covert union-busting campaign. Workers are filing charges alleging that the AKG has increased surveillance of its workers, begun enforcing rules more strictly in retaliation for union activity, and has engaged in emotional manipulation that indirectly shames organizing workers for their desire to collectively bargain.

“It is not too late for the AKG to change course and respect our right to organize. They can end their relationship with Jackson Lewis, sign the Fair Election Principles as written, and end their union-busting campaign,” said Lydian Standeford, a Visitor Experience Associate at the AKG. “We are doing this because we love the museum and love working there. We are hoping to have a collaborative relationship with leadership and hope we can work together now and in the future.”