American Folk Art Museum Workers Picket Gala Over Stalled Contract

On May 6, 2026, employees of the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, represented by UAW Local 2110, staged a two-hour protest outside the museum's annual gala at the Mandarin Oriental in Columbus Circle, advocating for improved wages and benefits. Their signs featured slogans like 'For Folk's Sake' and 'Self Taught, Not Self Funded.' Since unionizing in June 2024, contract negotiations have been stagnant for almost two years. Current frontline wages stand at $19 per hour ($58,686 annually), falling approximately $12,000 short of the living wage in NYC according to MIT. The union proposed a three-year contract to increase wages to $30 per hour by the third year, but management countered with only $21.50, lacking assurances for health care or hybrid schedules. The museum's Lincoln Square location underwent a six-month renovation, funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during which several union jobs were cut. It reopened on April 9 with the exhibition 'Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists.' In 2024, CEO Jason Busch received a salary of $321,882. The gala anticipated around 250 attendees and aimed to generate several hundred thousand dollars. Honoree artist vanessa german accepted UAW buttons, with some trustees showing their support.