New York's Museum of Modern Art held its annual "Party in the Garden" gala this week, beckoning black-tie-clad VIPs to generously support the institute by purchasing tables for anywhere between $25,000 and $100,000.
While the venerable guests partied, partially on behalf of banker David Rockefeller's 100th birthday, a different kind of crowd huddled across the street from the museum, umbrellas and protest signs in hand.
"MoMA, don't cut our health care," a large, red banner read. "Modern art, ancient wages!" the crowd chanted.
Like a scene out of "House of Cards," around 100 members of Local 2110, the union chapter that represents MoMA's technical and office workers, organized a timely protest in response to stalled negotiations between union members and the museum's management.
"Our union went into negotiations with MoMA management with proposals to improve wages, healthcare, and the opportunity for advancement in certain sectors of the museum," Emily Hall, an editor in MoMA's Department of Publications and a Local 2110 member, explained to The Huffington Post. "All but one, I believe, were rejected, and instead we were presented with a proposal that shifts a greater burden of health care costs to employees."
Negotiations -- regarding staff healthcare costs, among other things -- began in April; however, the most recent five-year collective bargaining agreement between the two parties expired on May 20, and an extension is set to close on June 20.
According to Hall, and reiterated to HuffPost by Grace Kwon, who works in MoMA's visitor services department, the museum is now asking staffers to pay a percentage of their health care premiums, including a percentage of surgery and childbirth costs, while increasing copays and instituting significant deductibles.
Proposed wage increases for staffers "barely cover these expenses," Hall claims. "Many union members are essentially facing a pay cut."
The gala protest lasted for two hours on Tuesday night, during which a smattering of red posters could be seen popping out amidst the rained-on masses. "Average MoMA senior staff salary: $349,000 / Average MoMA employee salary: $49,000," one read. "MoMA endowment: $1,000,000,000 / 2014 was MoMA's best year ever / Why cut back?" another asked.
Members of MoMA's graphics department, along with writers and editors on the protester's action committee, devised the strategy behind the posters. "There's a long history of stunning social justice posters, which we would have loved to invoke, but we didn't have much time," Hall said. "In just a handful of days, the group came up with the posters' slogans, which use MoMA's very recognizable typeface. There's some talk of making more of them."
The posters have become all the more relevant since Artnet's Philip Boroff announced that MoMA Director Glenn Lowry was paid a startling $2.1 million in salary, bonus, and benefits in 2013. Furthermore, The Daily Beast reported that MoMA's fiscal year 2013 990 return tallies the museum's total assets and fund balances at a staggering $1,086,806,338.
MoMA has issued the same statement to several media organizations in response to the protests: "The Museum of Modern Art has an outstanding staff. At this time, we are in the process of negotiations with Local 2110, and are optimistic that we will reach a positive outcome for the staff and all concerned."
Overall, MoMA's decision to cut staff benefits amidst plans for expansion and a healthy endowment has left more than a few people surprised.
"Salaries for MoMA workers are not high to begin with," Hall concluded. "The proposed expenses will make it difficult -- if not impossible -- for many of us to make ends meet ... I think we're hopeful about how strong the response has been [to the protests] among ourselves and in the public. We're hopeful that it's something the museum can't ignore."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.