Union organizer at Seattle Art Museum fired

"A" (a young woman of color) was fired by the Seattle Art Museum in what we believe is retaliation for union organizing in the security department. "A" has been an openly public face for the SAM VSO Union (seattle times article ). We believe they fired "A", an extremely efficient organizer, so close to the election as an attempt to scare staff and stop her from organizing on the ground.  The VSO Union has already filed 3 complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, due to the museum's treatment of staff.   2 weeks ago, Seattle Art Museum Human Resources put "A" on "paid investigative leave" with no explanation the charges. They also stated she was forbidden from speaking to any of her co-workers about the investigation.  

Over the following two weeks museum management called "A" in for meetings with two men, both of whom have military backgrounds; they questioned "A" for 2 hours in the first meeting and 1 and a half in the 2nd. "A" asked to bring a witness to her second meeting, in line with her Weingarten rights, and her request was denied. "A" felt these meetings were abusive and extremely scary.  In these private meetings, museum management officials asked questions that seemed inappropriate and designed to gather about union organizing activity, including asking for to see the union's private signal chat. After 2 weeks of being under "investigation", on 4/6/22 "A" had her final meeting with museum HR, where she was fired for "misconduct".

 

"A" is well-regarded and loved at work by the majority of her co-workers, and despite their "thorough investigation" the museum conveniently did not seek out input from publicly pro-union individuals about their thoughts as to whether "A" was a bully at work.

 

There is a pending Unfair Labor Practice filed about "A" situation which will hopefully prove "A" innocence and result in back wages, but those charges can take 3-6 months to be decided. Please help "A" deal with this sudden loss of wages by donating what you can to help her pay rent.

 

Thank you