Strike may affect San Francisco’s de Young, Legion of Honor museums

Two of San Francisco’s leading fine arts museums face the possibility of a strike due to an ongoing feud between unionized workers and the museums’ leaders.

The de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor Museum -- which are managed by the same organization -- face a possible strike from some of their workers, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. The union contends the museums are doing well financially but want to cut wages for future hires and increase health care costs.

Labor negotiations have dragged on for several months. Last week, members of the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.

The de Young and the Legion of Honor museums are run by an organization called Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The organization calls itself the largest public arts institution in the city.

The workers who are threatening the strike are involved with the transport, cataloging, security and display of art work at the museums, according to reports.

The Fine Arts Museums said in a statement sent to NBC Bay Area it has made a “fair and generous contract offer.”

It remains unclear if and when a strike would occur. No strike dates have been announced by the union.

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