NCM Union Workers Mutual Aid Fund
Donation protected
Furloughed Workers at The New Children’s Museum ask for Community Support and Solidarity
Beginning April 1, The New Children’s Museum has furloughed over 50 workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us are members of the recently-formed New Children’s Museum Union (IBEW Local 465) and are in the early stages of bargaining to improve the pay and working conditions in our workplace.
The decision to furlough workers has impacted teaching artists, playworkers, visitor services associates, events production staff, maintenance workers, security guards, assistant managers, fabricators, preparators, and coordinators from education, membership, visitor services, public programs, and events. We are the people who work with our visitors and who deliver our mission on a daily basis.
Many of these workers already live paycheck to paycheck, making just $0.25 above minimum wage. We have seen that unemployment takes weeks to process due to the volume of requests and even a one-week delay could be devastating to our families and our ability to survive. Our first lost paycheck will be April 20, and we hope to raise enough money before that date to support people through these first few weeks.
Our ultimate goal is to raise $25,000, providing each furloughed worker with access to $500 of financial assistance if needed.
Where will the donations go?
We will be helping furloughed workers inside and outside of the bargaining unit pay regular bills such as rent, medical expenses, car loans, student loan debt, etc.
How do you decide who receives assistance?
We are creating a survey that enables workers to request financial assistance. Funds will be disbursed as soon as possible to workers in dire need.
How will the money be distributed amongst the workers?
Depending on the funds donated, we may distribute equally amongst our group. However we know that some folks have greater need than others and we will prioritize workers who are most financially at risk.
Who is behind this effort?
The bargaining committee for New Children’s Museum Union will manage this fund, though contributions will be accessible to all furloughed workers.
Where will the leftover funds go?
We will donate the funds to the New Children’s Museum’s access programs.
Beginning April 1, The New Children’s Museum has furloughed over 50 workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us are members of the recently-formed New Children’s Museum Union (IBEW Local 465) and are in the early stages of bargaining to improve the pay and working conditions in our workplace.
The decision to furlough workers has impacted teaching artists, playworkers, visitor services associates, events production staff, maintenance workers, security guards, assistant managers, fabricators, preparators, and coordinators from education, membership, visitor services, public programs, and events. We are the people who work with our visitors and who deliver our mission on a daily basis.
Many of these workers already live paycheck to paycheck, making just $0.25 above minimum wage. We have seen that unemployment takes weeks to process due to the volume of requests and even a one-week delay could be devastating to our families and our ability to survive. Our first lost paycheck will be April 20, and we hope to raise enough money before that date to support people through these first few weeks.
Our ultimate goal is to raise $25,000, providing each furloughed worker with access to $500 of financial assistance if needed.
Where will the donations go?
We will be helping furloughed workers inside and outside of the bargaining unit pay regular bills such as rent, medical expenses, car loans, student loan debt, etc.
How do you decide who receives assistance?
We are creating a survey that enables workers to request financial assistance. Funds will be disbursed as soon as possible to workers in dire need.
How will the money be distributed amongst the workers?
Depending on the funds donated, we may distribute equally amongst our group. However we know that some folks have greater need than others and we will prioritize workers who are most financially at risk.
Who is behind this effort?
The bargaining committee for New Children’s Museum Union will manage this fund, though contributions will be accessible to all furloughed workers.
Where will the leftover funds go?
We will donate the funds to the New Children’s Museum’s access programs.
Give $50 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Fundraising team: NCMU (3)
New Childrens Museum Union
Organizer
Raised $4,069 from 42 donations
San Diego, CA
Alisa Miller
Team member
Raised $330 from 5 donations
Brittney DeVeau
Team member
This team raised $5,511 from 52 other donations.
