FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Mar. 7, 2024 

Contact: Andrew Fernandez 
[email protected]  

 
Workers at the Denver Art Museum Win Historic Union Election 

Denver Art Museum Workers United prevails in a 120 – 59 vote despite intense anti-union campaign 

Denver, CO — Workers at the Denver Art Museum officially won their union election today with a supermajority of  67% voting to unionize with AFSCME Council 18, making it the first unionized art museum in Colorado. Workers announced their union campaign in January and have since endured an intense anti-union campaign carried out by upper management, resulting in more than a dozen Unfair Labor Practice charges being filed by AFSCME on behalf of workers. Now, the over 200 DAM workers from every department will have a voice to advocate for a culture at the museum that prioritizes employee and visitor experience over revenue.  

"We worked so hard to win our union” said Trudy Lovato, a gallery host at the DAM. “One of the best things about this process has been hearing from people in various departments, and learning about their expertise, skills, and concerns. I look forward to working together to build a workplace that creates an environment of mutual respect, and every member feeling as valued as they deserve." 

Kit Bernal, a curatorial assistant and DAMWU member emphasized the power of solidarity across departments. “Our wall-to-wall union recognizes the importance of all of us in making the museum a place where art connects, inspires, and empowers,” Bernal said. “I am so honored to get to work with all of my incredible colleagues across the bargaining unit and the museum to build a better present and future for the DAM.” 

Now, workers will shift their focus to a contract campaign which will seek to address issues like adequate staffing, career advancement, a fair disciplinary process, and wages that account for experience, tenure, and continuing inflation. 

Denver Art Museum Workers United is now part of AFSCME Cultural Workers United, a national movement of cultural workers at libraries, museums and zoos across the country joining together to negotiate for better pay, working conditions, demand equity and fight for transparency in our workplaces.