ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

New Museum Hires Union Avoidance Firm After Staff Unionisation Bid

institutional · 2026-05-01

Employees at the New Museum in New York City are pushing to form a union and have submitted a petition to the National Labor Relations Board. They aim to join NewMuU-UAW Local 2110, which also represents staff at other major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art. In reaction, museum leadership has engaged a firm noted for its anti-union practices. The union support committee has publicly stated their commitment to enhancing working conditions and ensuring a more equitable and sustainable environment while remaining aligned with the museum's core objectives. Negotiations between the parties are currently in progress.

Key facts

  • New Museum staff filed a petition to unionise with the National Labor Relations Board.
  • The union would be NewMuU-UAW Local 2110, which includes staff from MoMA and the Bronx Museum.
  • Management hired Adams Nash Haskell & Sheridan, a firm offering union avoidance advice.
  • The union committee stated the goal is to make the museum more sustainable and equitable.
  • Negotiations are ongoing.
  • The announcement was made publicly last week.
  • The union represents employees across all museum departments.
  • The committee believes in the New Museum's mission but calls for critical changes.

Entities

Institutions

  • New Museum
  • National Labor Relations Board
  • NewMuU-UAW Local 2110
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Bronx Museum of the Arts
  • Adams Nash Haskell & Sheridan

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources