FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/18/23 

Kidspace Children’s Museum workers announce plans to unionize 

Pasadena – On International Museum Day, workers at the Kidspace Children’s Museum launched their campaign to become the first unionized children’s museum in Los Angeles County. The group of museum workers are organizing as Kidspace United and are seeking representation through the American Federation of State, Council and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 36. The new union would cover approximately 60 workers across the museum and include play facilitators, guest service associates, animal program coordinators, retail associates and more. 

According to a letter circulated by Kidspace United’s organizing committee, workers are forming their union to advocate for livable wages, opportunities for advancement, clearly defined job responsibilities and appropriate workloads, consistent training and support for staff, transparency and a voice in the museum's decision-making process. Kidspace United also believes that the museum is a better institution for workers and the Pasadena community when staff work together and build a collaborative partnership with management. 

Sabrina Blankinship, a retail associate at Kidspace Children’s Museum and member of the union’s organizing committee said, “I am choosing to unionize because we as workers should be compensated for our time and effort enriching our community. We want to feel valued and deserve to be compensated properly.” 

Speaking to how a union would benefit staff specifically, Blankinship said, “Forming a union will give us a proper structure to ensure that these values are met and embedded in our work culture.” 

“I value Kidspace, our mission, and the work we do to serve the children and families in our community,” said Susana Zhong, who works as a play facilitator at the museum. “I also believe in the power of unions as a voice for workers.”  

Kidspace United's organizing campaign follows the success of other children’s museums across the country who have successfully unionized with AFSCME Cultural Workers United (CWU). Among the over 100 museums represented by AFSCME CWU are the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in New York, Please Touch Museum in Pennsylvania and Iowa Children's Museum.