Brooklyn Academy Of Music Employees Move To Unionize

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — The administrative employees behind the Brooklyn Academy of Music are hoping to unionize, joining several other groups of workers who have organized at the performing arts center over the years.

The BAM employees have been discussing unionizing for months and officially filed with the National Labor Relations Board on April 8 to join Local 2110, a technical office and professional union group, records show. They are awaiting a formal election to establish the union.

Employees told Hyperallergenic that the effort to unionize largely surrounds worsening working conditions around benefits, 401K matching, healthcare and changes in hours.

The workers leading the charge for the union, who have created a website and Twitter page, have said that forming a union will help them address concerns like these with management.

"All of us care deeply about BAM and are its lifeblood, yet we have no organized voice for addressing our concerns as staff," the group said. "As a unionized workforce we would have rights and protection that we don’t have now. A union of, by, and for BAM administrative staff will give us a real seat at the table. "

When asked for a comment about the union, BAM responded with a statement that noted that the organization has a positive relationship with the other employee unions that exist within the venue and has a history of negotiating with those "in good faith."

"We respect the employees who are interested in forming a union and are committed to making sure every voice is heard," the statement said. "BAM will respect our employees' decision and we are committed to moving forward together and advancing the work of the place we all love."

Union organizers have said the organization has also started sending out "facts" about unionizing to its employees since they filed.

The employees have taken to "debunking" several of these fact sheets on their Twitter.

Union organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The upcoming election will certify the union with the NLRB should the majority of employees vote yes. The next steps will be electing a bargaining committee, surveying the union members on their ideas and drafting proposals for a union contract, organizers said.

" Once our union is certified, even before we agree upon a contract, BAM cannot make unilateral reductions in our terms and conditions of employment," they said.

The administrative workers would join several other unions at BAM, including those among security, maintenance, box office and stage employees.

BAM is the country's oldest performing arts venue and has been operating out of its current spot around Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street since 1908.