NLRB investigating claim The Met suspended worker to deter union activity
The case remains open and under review by the agency’s New York regional office.
Labor and Capital
Federal regulators are investigating a claim that the Metropolitan Museum of Art suspended an employee in order to discourage union activity, according to records released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.
The National Labor Relations Board investigation stems from an unfair labor practice charge filed in November, weeks before museum employees voted decisively to unionize in an NLRB–supervised election.
The case remains open and under review by the agency’s New York regional office. The NLRB has temporarily withheld some responsive records—including internal investigative materials, witness statements or agency memoranda—and redacted parts of the records it did provide until enforcement proceedings conclude.
The NLRB said in a letter responding to Urgent Matter’s request that the requested records were compiled for a “pending law enforcement proceeding” and that disclosure at this stage might interfere with the investigation.
The NLRB charging document is available to paid subscribers.
FOIA Documents: NLRB Case Charge Against The Met
Records released from the National Labor Relations Board
Adam Schrader
The agency emphasized that the restriction is temporary and that additional records may become disclosable after the case closes through a decision, settlement or dismissal, which would shed additional light on the accusation levied against The Met.
The signed charge filed by an employee whose name was redacted accused The Met of suspending the employee “in order to discourage union activities or membership,” which amounted to “unfair labor practices,” according to the provided documents.
Federal labor law prohibits employers from disciplining or discharging workers to interfere with their right to organize or participate in union activity.
Records released by the labor board show that the charging party was instructed to submit evidence, witness lists and a detailed timeline in support of the allegations.
The Met has retained outside labor counsel in the matter. A notice of appearance filed with the labor board on November 25 lists an attorney from management-side labor law firm Jackson Lewis as representing the museum. Littler Mendelson is representing the museum for proceedings tied to the union election.
The case was filed on November 18, a day after workers petitioned the NLRB for union representation. Earlier this month, 542 of 896 eligible voters cast ballots in favor of organizing under Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers, with 172 voting against, marking a turnout of about 91%.
It marked one of the largest union victories at a major U.S. cultural institution in recent years and followed a prolonged organizing campaign focused on job security, pay equity and workplace transparency.
The bargaining unit includes staff across dozens of departments, including curatorial, conservation, education, visitor services, archives and technology roles.
Dozens of New York City and state elected officials publicly aligned themselves with museum workers ahead of the election, signaling that the election was closely watched by the city’s new political leadership.
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