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.

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.

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.

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.

Workers overwhelmingly win union election on June 15, 2023

After over 2 years of fighting for union recognition, workers vote 60-5 in favor of Walters Workers United. Their union will officially be represented by AFSCME Council 3.