LACMA Employees Push for Union Recognition Amid New Gallery Opening

Employees at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) are actively forming a union, citing severe burnout and escalating workloads as the institution sprints towards the grand opening of its $720-million David Geffen Galleries. However, LACMA management has declined to voluntarily recognize LACMA United, compelling the union to pursue a formal National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election, a process currently complicated by a federal government shutdown.

The Mounting Pressure at LACMA

For more than two years, LACMA employees have been organizing, but these efforts have gained urgent momentum as the museum prepares for a pivotal moment in its history. The new David Geffen Galleries, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, encompass 110,000 square feet of gallery space and are slated to open in April 2026, following over a decade of intensive planning, fundraising, and construction. Staff members across various departments—including curators, educators, art installers, conservators, and visitor services personnel—report being stretched thin, performing demanding physical labor with accelerating deadlines.

LACMA United emphasizes that this pace is “unsustainable” and has already led to “burnout and turnover” among dedicated employees. They assert that workers “deserve better from an institution they’ve helped build,” especially as the museum aims to present itself as a “more collaborative, less hierarchical institution” with its new building.

Management’s Stance and the Road Ahead

Michael Govan, LACMA’s director and chief executive, stated in an email that “LACMA’s leadership has great respect for our team and for everyone’s right to make their own choice on this important issue.” He added, “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.”

Despite this statement, the refusal to voluntarily recognize the union means LACMA United cannot immediately move forward with collective bargaining. Instead, the union must await an NLRB election, a process currently on hold due to a federal government shutdown. This delay creates uncertainty for the more than 300 workers who form LACMA United, all of whom seek improved wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Union Recognition Across L.A. Cultural Institutions

LACMA’s decision stands in contrast to several other major cultural institutions across Los Angeles. In recent years, many local museums have chosen to voluntarily recognize their employees’ unions, fostering a different dynamic in labor relations within the L.A. arts scene.

What This Means for L.A.’s Arts Community

The situation at LACMA highlights a broader trend of challenging climates for museum workers nationwide and specifically in Los Angeles. As a major cultural cornerstone in the city, the outcome of LACMA United’s efforts could significantly influence labor practices and employee advocacy within other L.A. arts organizations. The union’s organizing committee expressed disappointment, noting that while the museum “reimagines itself… it has declined to extend that same vision to its relationship with the very people who bring LACMA’s mission to life every day.”

The union notably chose not to demonstrate at the recent celebrity-packed LACMA Art + Film Gala, which raised over $6.5 million for the museum, indicating a strategic approach to their advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is LACMA United?
  LACMA United is the union representing over 300 employees from various departments at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, advocating for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions.
• Why did LACMA management decline voluntary recognition?
  While Director Michael Govan affirmed respect for employees’ choices, no specific reason was publicly given for declining voluntary recognition. This decision means the union must pursue a formal NLRB election.
• What happens next for the union’s efforts?
  LACMA United must proceed with an election organized by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). However, all NLRB activities are currently on hold due to a federal government shutdown.
• When are the new David Geffen Galleries scheduled to open?
  The $720-million David Geffen Galleries are scheduled to open to the public in April, following more than a decade of development.
• How does LACMA’s decision compare to other L.A. museums?
  Unlike LACMA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Academy Museum, and the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles have all voluntarily recognized their employees’ unions in recent years.

For Angelenos and supporters of the arts, keeping an eye on how these labor discussions unfold will be crucial, as they reflect ongoing conversations about worker rights and institutional responsibilities in the cultural sector.

LACMA employees push for union amid gallery opening