Performers, engineers, educators and guest relations associates at the La Brea Tar Pits and NHMLAC are organizing under AFSCME Council 36. (Beverly Press/Park Labrea News file photo)

Following successful organizing drives among other cultural institutions, employees at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and La Brea Tar Pits have come together to form a union through AFSCME Council 36, becoming the Natural History Museum and Tar Pits Workers Union, or NHMTPWU. The new union will represent approximately 300 workers including performers, engineers, educators and guest relations associates.

In a letter circulated among staff, workers listed numerous longstanding issues they want to address through the union including better pay, benefits and compensation, transparency, safe working conditions, inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

“Uniting as a community of workers is the best way we can make our voices heard and truly make the museums welcoming places for everyone to visit,” said Tyler Nicholas, of the museum’s Community Science Program.

Another key factor driving the unionization effort is frustration over stagnant wages that fail to keep pace with Los Angeles’ rising costs of living, organizers said.

“I think we all play such an important role in such an important space and deserve to feel properly supported,” guest associate Ren Kascle added.

Other nonprofits and cultural institutions in Los Angeles County that have recognized employee unions include the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Museum of Contemporary Art and Academy Foundation of Motion Pictures. The unions for those institutions are also organized under AFSCME Council 36 and are part of AFSCME Cultural Workers United.

“I’m supporting this union because I want workers at NHMLA to have a voice. I want folks to feel empowered to continue work in this field, not be discouraged from it, and to support by fellow workers with what they need,” said Maya Morales, a manager, school and teacher programs for NHMLAC.

A spokesperson for the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County provided a statement on the workers’ effort to unionize.

“The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation is aware of and acknowledges the recent decision by some employees to form a union. The foundation communicated with the union, the Natural History Museum and Tar Pits Workers Union [on March 25] to confirm receipt of their request and affirm that the foundation recognizes employees have the right to organize consistent with the National Labor Relations Act,” the statement read.