Timeline

Walters employees meet with the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to share why they formed WWU

Walters leadership and union-busting law firm Shawe Rosenthal begins meeting with museum supervisors.

Julia rejects another meeting with workers. WWU holds a rally for respect and recognition on August 12, 2021.

After the chemical exposure, urgency to form a union builds. Workers and community allies protest museum’s refusal to meet and determine a fair and inclusive path to unionization.

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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

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.