Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) Director Timothy Rub had remained neutral in the unionizing effort of AlliedBarton security services guards posted at the Museum. Yesterday, however, union activists who were lobbying members of Philadelphia City Council were surprised and excited to find out that Museum leadership had declared its support for the union in a written statement to City Councilman At-Large, William K. Greenlee.

On Wednesday February 24th, Security Guards and concerned citizens are congregating at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) during the opening reception of the new Picasso Exhibit to demand a fair contract and that workers that guard the museum are treated with dignity and respect. 

Philadelphia, PA The Philadelphia Museum of Art is apparently not immune from the recession. Like other leading institutions of the arts, the museum has seen some of its income fall sharply. In February, management announced that in order to close an expected $1.7 million budget deficit the museum would need to lay off 15 staff, raise ticket prices by $2 to $6 each, and reduce Free Sundaysto only once a month. The cruelest cut was announced months later, in June, when museum guards earning between $16,000 and $20,000 a year learned they would not receive their promised $0.25 an hour raise.