Strong Museum Workers fired without full and fair investigation during union organizing drive

ROCHESTER, NY (02/03/2025) (readMedia)-- Two workers from The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester were terminated during efforts to organize a union with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). Both were teachers at The Strong Woodbury School.

A majority of the future bargaining unit signed authorization cards choosing to unionize with CSEA. They delivered a request for voluntary recognition to management on January 28 and then filed a representation petition with the National Labor Relations Board, looking forward to a neutral organizing environment. On January 29, Sarah Tubbs and Johanna Kapaan were terminated. In both cases the workers were fired without a full and fair investigation.

Employer interference, colloquially referred to as "unionbusting" is prohibited by The National Labor Relations Act, Section 7 which states:

"Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all of such activities except to the extent that such right may be affected by an agreement requiring membership in labor organization as a condition of employment as authorized in section 8(a)(3)."

Workers at the Strong are circulating a petition among workers and the community, calling on management to reinstate teachers Johanna Kapaan and Sarah Tubbs back to their positions as well as expedite the union recognition process to conserve museum resources.

"Firing two highly regarded teachers is further evidence that good workers are being treated poorly, not given the respect and recognition that they deserve. Unionbusting by ineffective leadership has led to a poor choice that needs to be reversed immediately," said CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy.

"I urge The Strong to recognize these workers and the union they are trying to organize NOW. Unfair treatement and disregard is what has led to these workers to organize in the first place. The workers at Strong deserve better and the only way to ensure they are respected and treated right, is as a union," said Mike Irving, CSEA Monroe County Local President.

"With a union, we will have a seat at the table and a collective voice with protections that prevent this very thing from occuring. Job security and fair treatment is not too much to ask. We demand that our coworkers are returned to work to ensure the parents and children are no longer disrupted," Olivia Robinson, Guest Services Host.

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is one of the largest and most influential unions in New York and the United States. CSEA has about 250,000 members and represents state, county, municipal, school district, child care, and private sector employees. Formed in 1910, CSEA has improved the lives of hardworking New Yorkers for more than 100 years, and is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For more information, go to CSEANY.org.

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