Brooklyn Academy Of Music Employees Say Yes To Unionizing

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — Employees in yet another sect of the Brooklyn Academy of Music have voted to form a union, workers announced.

BAM's administrative employees, who have been discussing unionizing for months, voted 82 percent in favor of officially organizing last Thursday. The employees had first filed with the National Labor Relations Board on April 8 to join Local 2110, a technical office and professional union group, records show.

The employees have said that their efforts to unionize largely surround worsening working conditions, including benefits, 401K matching, healthcare and changes in hours.

"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. "

The workers leading the charge for the union had been getting attention as their vote approached through their website and Twitter page. They recently gained the support from other unions like the Columbia Graduate workers, New York musicians and elected officials, including state Sen. Julia Salazar and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

BAM management has previously said that it will work "in good faith" with the administrative union, as it has with other employee unions that exist within the venue.

"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 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Now that employees have voted yes, the next steps include 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.

Other unions at BAM include 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.