We won our union election!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/26/23

Contact: Andrew Dudenbostel
adudenbostel@afscme.org

Kidspace Children’s Museum workers win historic union election despite significant pushback from management

Pasadena – Three months after workers at Kidspace Children’s Museum announced they were forming a union as Kidspace United, a final vote count confirmed that workers officially won their union election by an 82% vote. The historic victory marks the first time a children’s museum in Los Angeles County has successfully unionized. The new union will cover approximately 60 workers across the museum and include play facilitators, guest service associates, animal program coordinators, retail associates and more.

According to organizers, support for Kidspace United remained consistent despite management’s numerous attempts to dissuade workers from joining the union drive. Workers say that throughout the campaign, the museum continuously deployed union-busting tactics, such as spreading misinformation about dues and benefits during staff meetings, disciplining workers who used sick leave after working in excessive heat and engaging in an unprecedented hiring spree that saw over 80% increase in new staff.

Undeterred by the pushback, workers say it was their dedication and commitment to improving the museum that ultimately led to the hard-earned victory. “Kidspace is a thriving piece of the Pasadena community, and the beautiful learning experiences that happen here couldn’t happen without workers,” said Carter Ward, who works as a guest associate. “I'm excited for us to have the collective power to demand respect and fair compensation for being the vital contributors we are.”

According to Kidspace United, workers began organizing to address issues such as creating a livable wage that matched cost of living, better training for staff, inclusion of staff in the museum’s decision-making process and more. Shortly after going public, workers requested voluntary recognition of Kidspace United, which had already achieved majority support among staff. Management ultimately refused the request, which organizers say forced workers into an avoidable, unnecessarily lengthy and costly election.

Beyond staff, support for Kidspace’s unionization also came from various community stakeholders such as members of the Pasadena City Council and Pasadena Unified School District Board of Trustees. Union allies throughout California also stood with the museum workers, including the California Labor Federation and the Los Angeles County Labor Federation. AFSCME Cultural Workers United’s national network of unionized cultural workers, of which Kidspace United is the newest member, weighed in on social media by posting photos in support of Kidspace United as a show of solidarity.