Fighting for a fair contract, Cleveland Museum of Natural History workers organize solidarity action
For over 100 years, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) has been an important Ohio institution, sharing the love of the natural sciences with museumgoers of all ages.
After winning their union in 2025 as CMNH Workers United, workers at CMNH have been fighting for a fair contract that ensures this iconic institution remains a world-class museum for years to come.
“We support the scientific and educational mission of this institution and we’ve seen that it’s really hard for our staff to support that mission if we’re not being appropriately compensated, if we don’t feel safe and supported in our workplace,” said Jeb Bugos, a collections manager for the museum and member of the bargaining team.
Negotiations on the contract have been ongoing, but workers say that some important issues around existing benefits the museum provides have become a sticking point. In response, the workers organized a Fair Contract Friday solidarity action.
The workers were supported by several community members during the action, support that has continued to remain strong since the workers announced their unionizing campaign last year.
“This museum has been such an important part of so many Clevelanders’ lives,” Bugos continued, reflecting on the support they have felt from the community. “There are a lot of people who grew up coming to this museum, who have taken classes, done summer camps, and been inspired by the science that happens at this museum. It’s a huge part of the Cleveland community and I think people just want to show up for the people who make all of that happen.”
AFSCME Ohio Council 8 represents over 31,000 public service workers across Ohio in both the public and private sectors in municipal and county government, public schools and universities, cultural institutions and health care facilities providing critical services to Ohioans every day. Learn more at afscmecouncil8.org.