A strike authorization vote has passed among unionized employees at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, with 92% of participating SEIU Local 1021 members approving the measure, the union announced last week.
The vote authorizes the union’s bargaining committee to call a strike if it determines one is necessary during ongoing contract negotiations, SEIU said.
No strike has been scheduled, according to SEIU.
The employees, who work across departments including museum experience, school and community programs, facilities, exhibits, and visitor services, formed a union with SEIU Local 1021 in February 2025, a press release issued Thursday noted.
Union members contend that management has prolonged negotiations and proposed contract terms they say would weaken the union, while refusing to guarantee wage increases that keep pace with the cost of living, maintain current health benefits, and limit management’s disciplinary authority, the union said.
“We formed our union to bring fairness and stability to our workplace so that our dedicated staff have the support they need to carry out the Museum’s mission,” facilities technician Jordan Bakhtegan said in a statement.
Museum management did not immediately respond to the union’s allegations in the press release.