Cal Academy workers ratify first union contract

Workers at the California Academy of Sciences ratified their first union contract, with 87% of around 350 members voting in favor. The contract includes a 20% wage increase, raising the minimum wage from $20. 25 to $25 per hour by July 2026. Additionally, employees with less than two years of service will receive five extra vacation days, and all workers will gain two additional sick leave days. The agreement also enshrines protections for workers’ rights to strike and aims to create a more inclusive work environment.

The union, affiliated with SEIU 1021, was formed after a successful vote in July 2023, despite management's refusal to voluntarily recognize it. Financial challenges at the museum have prompted leadership to warn of a multi-million dollar shortfall. The contract is set to expire on April 30, 2028, coinciding with the expiration of several other significant union contracts nationwide. Union members expressed hope that the agreement will reshape community interactions with science and promote accessibility.