Joint Message from DIA and AFSCME DIAWU

The Detroit Institute of Arts is profoundly grateful for our talented staff—the heart of everything done at the museum. For decades, the DIA has valued its relationships with the two unions that represent some of our colleagues, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Those relationships have been built on mutual respect.

The DIA fully respects its employees’ legal rights to organize and to choose whether they wish to be represented by a union. On Tuesday, November 4, the DIA received a request to voluntarily recognize AFSCME as the bargaining representative for employees who are not currently represented by a union.

Since receiving the request, the DIA and AFSCME have been working together to define the proposed bargaining unit and establish a process for potential voluntary recognition. Last week, the DIA and AFSCME signed an agreement providing for voluntary recognition, contingent on a card check conducted by a neutral third party to determine whether a majority of employees in the defined bargaining unit wish to be represented by AFSCME. Discussions are ongoing to finalize the definition of the proposed bargaining unit. The card check is currently anticipated to take place in late February.

Both the DIA and AFSCME are committed to a fair, supportive, and inspiring workplace and look forward to continuing our respectful and collaborative relationship.