Mrs. Harrity, The Museum Must Obey The Law

Report on the JwJ Rally at the Muesum:

Check out the video at.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85L9ACzWKew

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of our cities proudest attractions. In many ways, it is the heart of our city. From the July 4th Welcome America festival to the Live 8 concert, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the face that Philadelphia shows the world when we want to shine.

Philadelphians show our pride by donating more than $6 million to the museum by way of city contributions, direct payments, subsidies, assistance and special breaks.

Our city has a long and proud working-class history. The museum is known as much for its world-class collections as it for the underdog, working-class champion, Rocky, who bounded up the steps in that iconic film. This love for our working roots has been celebrated in our city laws when our City Council adapted one of the most progressive Prevailing Wage Laws in the country.

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Talking Points

The City Council of Philadelphia has support workers forming a union through "majority sign-up," by unanimously endorsing the Employee Free Choice Act in 2007.
The Philadelphia Security Officers' Union has signed up a majority of their co-workers on union representation cards.
Gail Harrity, Museum CEO, should publicly support the workers’ right to be represented by the union.
The museum is violating the Philadelphia Prevailing Wage Ordinance by not paying the guards family supporting wages.
The Philadelphia Security Officers' Union is the collective bargaining authority for the guards at the museum.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I am writing to tell you that I am very concerned with the way that security guards are being treated at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  I hope that you will make sure that workers' rights are respected on the property and that all city ordinances are obeyed.

Mrs. Harrity, security guards at the museum have worked for poverty wages for years.  After many discussions the guards formed an alliance called the Philadelphia Security Officers' Union.  Due to their activism and that of their supporters from the community group, Jobs with Justice, they were able to force you to give them paid sick-leave for the first time in 14 years.

Now the Philadelphia Security Officers' Union has signed up a majority of their co-workers at the museum onto union representation cards.  The security officers at the museum want to be represented by the Philadelphia Security Officers? Union for purposes of collective bargaining and representation.  Once they are recognized as the union, they will seek to bring their wages and benefits into line with the levels proscribed for all workers on city property by Philadelphia's prevailing wage law.

Mrs. Harrity, as a tax payer I know that our city supports the museum by contributing $6.4 million each year.  I encourage you to support our city's worker-friendly laws by publicly supporting majority sign-up union recognition at the museum and legally proscribed wage and benefit levels as outlined by city statutes.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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CEO Gail Harrity (if you live in Pennsylvania)
Director of Human Resources Robin Procter (if you live in Pennsylvania)

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