BAM Staffers Vote To Unionize

FORT GREENE – Administrative and cinema employees at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) have voted “yes” to joining the UAW Local 2110 (United Auto Workers) union.

The staffers announced their plans to unionize last month, Hyperallergic first reported. The employees told the arts website that they faced a reduction in benefits, healthcare, and 401(k) matching. They also claimed that some full-time positions were being switched to part-time, making those positions ineligible for benefits packages.

While the cultural institution was not taking a position regarding the employees push to unionize, it insisted that employee healthcare benefits were not being reduced and that BAM covers 80% of its staff’s healthcare premiums, noting the spike in health insurance costs this year.

Six unions have been established at BAM during the organization’s 150+ years representing the wardrobe, projectionists, box office, stage, security, and maintenance departments.

The UAW Local 2110 vote was 119 in favor out of 145 staff members, Hyperallergic wrote in a follow-up on Thursday.

BAM responded to the news stating that the institution “respects the decision of our employees” and is committed to working with the newly unionized workers, according to the article.