Inspired by a steady wave of cultural organizing in Ohio, workers at Gateway Film Center — a nonprofit cinema house in Columbus — voted unanimously to form a union on Nov. 13.

Gateway Film Center United is the fourth union representing cultural workers in Ohio to affiliate with AFSCME Council 8 in recent years.

After hearing about the successful unionization efforts at Wexner Art Center, Columbus Museum of Art and Cincinnati's Contemporary Arts Center, workers at Gateway Film Center began organizing in September to address issues such as inconsistent scheduling, lack of transparency from management and understaffing. These issues put a significant strain on the employees who work in admissions and coordinate activities and operations at the independent theater.

Gateway Film Center workers credited their union victory, which they achieved in less than three months, to their close relationships with each other and consistent check-ins as a collective. Workers say they are excited for the future and are eager to begin preparations to bargain their first contract.

All across the country, workers at libraries, museums, zoos and other such institutions are joining together through the AFSCME Cultural Workers United campaign to negotiate for better pay and working conditions, demand equity and fight for transparency in their workplaces. AFSCME represents more cultural workers — about 35,000 nationwide — than any other union.