About Us

NHMTPWU

March 25, 2025

Dear co-workers,

We believe that the Natural History Museum (NHM) of Los Angeles County and the La Brea Tar Pits’ (LBTP) commitment to inclusivity, authenticity and intentionality starts with respecting and empowering staff. As staff, we provide valuable services to our Los Angeles community and work hard to keep our institutions running.

We believe that the power of decision making must be shared with all voices, including ours, across various departments and diverse roles within the institution. For this reason, we are uniting to form our union with AFSCME Cultural Workers United, Council 36.

In an effort to make our workplace more equitable, we aim to address:

  • Better pay, benefits and compensation that reflect increasing job responsibilities and the rising cost of living
  • Transparency, accountability and a voice when it comes to decisions that affect staff
  • Healthy and safe workplace conditions to ensure the protection, support and resources for all employees
  • Supportive organizational structure and communication that stabilizes employees’ workload, fosters collaboration, and advocates for fair representation
  • Inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility that creates an environment that fosters collaboration and strengthens our community
  • Job security and career growth to create professional pathways for career development and advancement
  • A workplace that values, empowers, and advocates for its employees

We urge NHM and LBTP to respect our legal right to form our union, free from intimidation or retaliation. Additionally, The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the La Brea Tar Pits have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and access by voluntarily recognizing our union, upon demonstration of majority support, and responding to us by March 31, 2025.

Many museums and nonprofits in Los Angeles county have voluntarily recognized their staff unions and NHMLAC leadership has an opportunity to follow their lead in demonstrating their commitment to us. We look forward to working together to make our museum a better place for all.

Join us by filling out a membership card today and follow us on Instagram @nhmtpworkersunion.org! If you have any questions, you can reach out to an organizer at nhmtpworkersunion@gmail.com.

Together,

The Natural History Museum and Tar Pits Workers Union (NHMTPWU)

NHMTPWU