Milwaukee Art Museum Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Join Machinists Union

A group of 141 employees of the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) voted by 72 percent to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). The vote was held over a three-week period via mail with the ballots tallied today.

The new Machinists Union members work in every capacity at the Milwaukee Art Museum including Visitor Services, Food and Beverage, Education & Programs, Information Systems, Facilities and more.

“I’m proud to welcome Milwaukee Art Museum workers to the IAM,” said IAM District 10 Directing Business Representative Alex Hoekstra. “Your solidarity through challenging and uncertain times is truly inspiring. Together we will affect real change at work.”

“MAM workers overcame a year of tremendous obstacles to achieve this victory and claim their seat at the table,” said IAM District 10 Organizer Anne Wiberg. “The hard work and unwavering solidarity of the organizing team made this historic wall-to-wall union possible.”

“I want to welcome these members to the Machinists Union family,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “I’m so proud of them for educating themselves about the benefits of the IAM and working so hard for union representation and a voice in their workplace. Unions aren’t just for manufacturing workers, they have a place in every working environment.”

Mail ballots were sent out to eligible MAM staff Monday, Oct. 19 and were returned to the National Labor Relations Board Region 18 Office by Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. The final vote count was today, Friday, Nov. 13.