Please find below the press release by PASTA-MoMA, UAW Local 2110, regarding settlement of the MoMA strike. A press release by MoMA is available at http://www.moma.org/docs/press/2000/fF_PO02,c8585,.htm. Jenny Tobias Associate Librarian, Reference The Museum of Modern Art, New York FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2000 Victory for the MoMA Strikers Union Achieves Security, Maintains Healthcare Benefits Striking workers at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ratified a contract today that includes nearly all the demands made by the union when the strike began, on April 28. A marathon, 15-hour negotiating session that began at noon on Friday, September 8, yielded significant gains for the Professional and Administrative Staff Association (PASTA), which is part of Local 2110/UAW. "We're all really proud and relieved," observed Julia Corcoran, a striking editor in MoMA’s Writing Services department. "It's been a long struggle, but it's been absolutely worth it." The contract lasts five years or until six months after the reopening of the newly expanded museum (whichever is longer). Details of the agreement include: · Wage Increases: November 1, 1999 3% November 1, 2000 4% or $1,100, whichever is greater November 1, 2001 3.5% November 1, 2002 3.5% November 1, 2003 3.5% The same increases will be applied to contract minimums. Workers in the lowest classifications will receive additional seniority increases. · Union Security: A key issue in the strike was the union’s demand for a standard union security clause. The contract will provide for an agency shop. That is, each employee hired after September 9 "shall become a member of the union and maintain his/her membership in good standing or shall pay to the union the uniformly required agency fee." · Healthcare: In the face of stiff opposition from management, the union refused to waive its right to negotiate over changes to its healthcare plan. The settlement states, "The Museum is obligated, prior to making any changes to the health and welfare program, to negotiate in good faith with the union over its proposed changes." · Job Security: "Any employee laid off as a result of the upcoming building project shall have recall rights until the full staffing level for the reopening of the museum is reached…. The contractual severance provision of one week for each year of service shall apply." Employees with more than two years of service laid off as a result of the building project may elect to waive recall rights and instead receive an improved severance package. · The new contract also includes improvements in retirement benefits, childcare, tuition reimbursement, and dental care, as well as NYC TransitChecks. · Both sides agreed to withdraw any charges, litigation, etc. that have arisen in the course of the labor dispute. · Temporary strike replacement workers (i.e., scabs) are to be terminated immediately. Jennifer Roberts, a striking worker from MoMA's Prints and Illustrated Books department, said, "I can' t believe we won on every issue. I' ll have to change my outlook on life." The strikers celebrated the victory on Saturday by marching with the UAW in New York City's Labor Day Parade. Local 2110 President Maida Rosenstein said, "This is a great victory for PASTA. It was a difficult strike, but these workers proved by their endurance that unions for professional workers are forces to contend with. Support from the labor and arts communities was essential," Rosenstein continued. An Open Letter to the Museum of Modern Art, signed by prominent artists and directors including Steven Spielberg, Robert Rauschenberg, David Byrne, Claes Oldenburg, Laurie Anderson, James Rosenquist, Martin Scorsese, and Susan Sontag, was crucial in building solidarity with the strikers. Support from union leaders across the state, as well as union workers from a great number of industries, contributed to the victory. In addition, a recent vote by the Manhattan Borough City Council Delegation against a zoning variance necessary for the Museum’s building project confirmed support from the political community. Pressure from a number of high-profile politicians also made a difference. The twenty-week-long strike officially ends Monday, September 11 at midnight. MoMA employees return to work on Tuesday, September 12. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL UAW LOCAL 2110, (212) 387-0220 or MAIDA ROSENSTEIN’S CELL PHONE, (917) 495-8492. __________________________________________________________________ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html Questions may be addressed to list owner at: [log in to unmask]