Timeline

WWU secures a union election agreement.

On March 27, representatives of Walters Workers United (WWU) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union officials met with Walters Art Museum Executive Director Julia Marciari-Alexander and reached an agreement that would resolve a nearly two-year impasse between workers and management over union recognition.

Walters Workers United's union election will be held in spring 2023.

Legislation supporting WWU's unionization is introduced

In January 2023, legislation that would grant collective bargaining rights to Walters Art Museum employees was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly.

House Bill 116 and Senate Bill 284 would allow us to certify our union by verifying majority support through signed union cards or by secret ballot election, which would be overseen by the Baltimore City Labor Commissioner, a neutral third party.

A virtual hearing for WWU's MPIA lawsuit is held on November 30.

During the hearing, which was held through the Baltimore City Circuit Court, lawyers for Walters Workers United emphasized the importance of the MPIA in holding public institutions and entities like The Walters Art Museum accountable. Citing ample evidence proving The Walters’ status as a government entity, including the museum’s IRS filings and grant forms, WWU asserted that the museum must comply with any MPIA requests since it has long identified itself as a public institution.

WAM hosts "An Evening at the Walters,” an annual gala fundraiser that attracts many of the museum’s top donors.

Workers leaflet outside of the museum and educate donors about the ongoing labor dispute with management.

On September 12, AFSCME, on behalf of WWU, files a lawsuit against WAM leadership for refusing to comply with the Maryland Public Information Act requests submitted back in May.

Ample evidence, including the museum’s own government filings, prove WAM is a public entity and must therefore comply with the MPIA

Determined to move forward, an overwhelming majority of Walters employees sign a petition voicing support for a union election outside of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Workers also extend an invitation to the museum’s Board of Trustees to meet and discuss the current state of WWU’s unionization efforts.

Meanwhile, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issues another letter to The Walters' Board of Trustees affirming support for WWU and requesting the museum consider the variety of options available for union recognition. 

In May, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), on behalf of WWU, submits a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) requesting documents related to the Museum’s internal communications about WWU's unionization process.

Weeks later, Julia rejects the MPIA request and makes an unfounded claim that WAM is a private institution that does not need to comply with MPIA requests.

On March 11, Maryland Delegate Melissa Wells introduces House Bill 1485, which would extend collective bargaining rights to employees at the Walters Art Museum.

Faced with a surge of the highly infectious COVID Omicron variant, WWU rallies to address safety concerns on January 28, 2022.

Workers suggest ways to improve safety protocols in a letter sent to Walters leadership. Leadership ignores concerns and never responds to the letter.

In October 14 informational hearing, WWU testifies before Baltimore City Council on Walters’ obstruction of collective bargaining rights.

Moved by workers’ testimonies, Baltimore City Council and Baltimore Comptroller send letters to museum leadership urging them to meet with workers and come to an election agreement.