Brooklyn Museum workers, supporters rally against expected layoffs
Dozens of Brooklyn residents gathered outside the Brooklyn Museum to protest the plan to lay off 10% of its workforce on Tuesday night.
Dozens of Brooklyn residents gathered outside the Brooklyn Museum to protest the plan to lay off 10% of its workforce on Tuesday night.
The museum, facing a $10 million budget deficit, is expected to cut at least 40 jobs.
Chanting “No layoffs, now!” union members and local supporters lined Eastern Parkway, calling for transparency from museum leadership.
“We believe these layoffs are happening because of mismanagement, and we’re telling them to stop,” said Wilson Souffrant, president of Local 1052.
Souffrant says the union was blindsided by the announcement, claiming the museum violated its contract by failing to provide at least 30 days’ notice.
“The contract also says the union must agree before any layoffs are implemented,” he said. “However, the museum failed to do that.”
Beyond the job cuts, some employees are concerned about the impact on remaining staff.
“We’re very concerned about the workload and the general morale of the staff that will remain,” said Liz St. George, an assistant curator at the Brooklyn Museum.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined the rally, urging Mayor Eric Adams to intervene as budget negotiations approach.
“We are paying attention, Mayor Adams, to see what you do right after the election,” Reynoso said. He also called on future mayoral candidates to reverse any potential damage.
The Brooklyn Museum has not responded to requests for comment. A meeting with the city’s labor commission is scheduled for Friday to discuss the layoffs.
