LACMA unionization Effort Stalled as Management Declines Voluntary recognition Amidst Geffen Galleries Launch
Los Angeles, CA - November 7, 2025 – A burgeoning labor movement within Los Angeles’s cultural institutions has hit a snag at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).management has declined to voluntarily recognize LACMA United, the newly formed union representing over 300 employees, effectively delaying collective bargaining until a national Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election can be held. This decision arrives at a pivotal moment for the museum, as it prepares to unveil its highly anticipated $720 million David Geffen Galleries in April.
The refusal to voluntarily recognize the union – despite a reported majority of staff signing authorization cards – marks a departure from the trend set by other prominent Los Angeles museums, including the museum of Contemporary Art, the Academy Museum, and the natural History Museum, all of whom have proactively recognized their respective unions in recent years. The timing is particularly sensitive, as LACMA races to finalize preparations for the opening of the Geffen Galleries, a project over a decade in the making and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor.
A Growing Movement Reflects Industry-wide Concerns
The push for unionization at LACMA isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader wave of organizing efforts sweeping across the museum sector, fueled by concerns over stagnant wages, limited benefits, and increasingly demanding working conditions.Museum professionals,often passionate about their work,are finding themselves facing the realities of a challenging economic landscape and a sector grappling with evolving expectations for employee well-being.
“This isn’t about being anti-LACMA; it’s about ensuring a sustainable future for the institution and the people who make it thrive,” explains a representative from LACMA United, who requested anonymity due to ongoing negotiations. “The workload has intensified substantially with the Geffen Galleries opening. Many staff members are performing physically demanding tasks, and the pressure to meet deadlines is leading to burnout and turnover. We need a seat at the table to address these issues proactively.”
The 110,000 square-foot Geffen Galleries, intended to be a state-of-the-art showcase for LACMA’s encyclopedic permanent collection, represents a critically important investment in the museum’s future. Though, the union argues that the excitement surrounding the new building shouldn’t overshadow the needs of the workforce responsible for bringing it to life.
The Impact of the Federal Shutdown
Adding another layer of complexity, the current federal government shutdown has put NLRB activities – including union elections – on hold. This effectively stalls the unionization process,leaving LACMA United in a state of limbo. the delay is frustrating for employees who were hoping to begin negotiations quickly.
In a statement, LACMA United expressed disappointment with management’s decision, stating, “While the museum reimagines itself as a more collaborative, less hierarchical institution in its new David Geffen Galleries, it has declined to extend that same vision to its relationship with the very people who bring LACMA’s mission to life every day.”
LACMA’s Response and the Path Forward
LACMA Director and CEO Michael Govan, in an email, affirmed the museum’s respect for its employees and their right to choose. “LACMA’s leadership has great respect for our team and for everyone’s right to make their own choice on this significant issue,” Govan wrote. “No matter the outcome, my commitment to our employees – to listen, to support them, and to continue building a strong and respectful workplace – remains unchanged.”
However, the union is seeking more than just assurances. LACMA United represents a diverse group of employees, including curators, educators, art installers, conservators, registrars, visitor services staff, facilities workers, researchers, and designers. Their demands center around improved wages,comprehensive benefits packages,and safer,more sustainable working conditions.
A Gala Amidst Growing Tension
The situation unfolded against the backdrop of LACMA’s star-studded art + film Gala last week, co-hosted by Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow, which raised over $6.5 million for the museum.While the event showcased LACMA’s fundraising prowess and cultural influence, it also highlighted the disparity between the museum’s public image and the concerns of its workforce. LACMA United opted not to protest the gala, choosing instead to focus on the NLRB process and building support for their cause.
What’s Next?
The future of LACMA United hinges on the resolution of the federal government shutdown