Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New York Transit Museum Workers Organize to Join AFSCME

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Workers at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn have filed for a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union with AFSCME District Council 37.

Following a successful organizing drive by their co-workers in the museum gift shop to join Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 last year, museum educators, visitor experience staff and others are now fighting for union representation, too. Workers went public with their effort to form the New York Transit Museum Collective in early February. Management has yet to voluntarily recognize AFSCME as their bargaining representative, but staff remain committed to fighting for a contract that addresses low wages, lost benefits and other core concerns.

“Our museum tells stories that wouldn’t exist without organized labor,” said Ava Dennis, a part-time museum educator. “We tell these stories, we uplift them and remember them.  We deserve that same sort of opportunity.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/19/2026 - 10:19

Women's History Month Profiles: Shaunna Winton

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Shaunna Winton of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE).

Shaunna Winton is a 20-year member of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001. She began her career at Boeing as a material review board engineer. She remains a strong advocate for her fellow union members and is the incoming SPEEA treasurer. Winton is passionate about encouraging young women in STEM careers. She is an active career-long member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and served as lead coordinator of the SWE Team Tech collegiate technical competition.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/19/2026 - 10:25

Tags: Women's History Month