Wexner Center for the Arts employees announce their intent to unionize

Today, staff from local Ohio State University arts institution the Wexner Center for the Arts announced their intent to form a union with AFSCME Ohio Council 8. In a letter to Wexner Center leadership, “Wex Workers United” cited several areas of concern that led the group to seek voluntary recognition of the union.

“The last two years have greatly exacerbated long-standing issues at the Wex and Ohio State, including pay equity and working culture, while raising additional concerns for our health and safety,” the letter states. “During the early pandemic, staff bore the brunt of furloughs, reduced working hours, and the elimination of six positions. Our workloads were not lessened during this time of reduced staff—in fact, many of us took on additional work beyond our job descriptions while receiving little to no compensation for completing these extra duties. When the center reopened to the public, some of the lowest paid among us were required to put our health on the line and return to public-facing responsibilities on site, before vaccines were available.”