Whatcom Museum Employees Join Teamsters Local 231

A group of 21 employees working for the Whatcom Museum Foundation have voted to join Teamsters Local 231. The employees work in the Family Interactive Gallery, provide visitors services and education, and are photo archive assistants, exhibitions coordinators, and marketers. On May 29, 2025, they unanimously voted in favor of becoming Teamsters.

Teamsters Local 231 filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of staff at the Whatcom Museum Foundation on International Workers’ Day (May 1).

Museum staff have spent months on their organizing campaign and will soon realize their vision of a workplace that values transparency and fair treatment. Throughout the process, staff have expressed their intention to secure a contract that:

• Provides liveable and equitable wages and benefits;
• Achieves financial health for the Museum Foundation;
• Establishes honest, open communication among all museum stakeholders;
• Provides necessary training and professional development opportunities for staff and Board members;
• Ensures all staff members are treated as professionals, with respect and courtesy.

“Teamsters Local 231 is pleased to welcome these new members to our union and we look forward to a positive working relationship with the Whatcom Museum Foundation leadership while securing a strong union contract for the workers,” said Secretary-Treasurer Rich Ewing.

Chartered as a General Local on January 8, 1909, Teamsters Local 231 currently has 61 collective bargaining agreements with 50 different employers in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and Island Counties.  Teamsters Local 231 is committed to improving the lives of our 2500+ members through the solidarity of the membership.