News Summary

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has recently achieved union status after a vote among its employees. This decision highlights growing workplace discontent amid significant organizational changes. With a high turnover rate and expressed dissatisfaction regarding workplace culture, employees seek better pay and a supportive environment as they move forward with contract negotiations.

Cleveland

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) has achieved union status following a recent vote by its employees, highlighting growing workplace discontent amid a significant organizational transformation. The vote concluded with 31 employees in favor of unionization and 22 against.

This decision comes against the backdrop of a tumultuous period for CMNH, which has seen a high turnover rate since 2021, with at least 87 employees, including four CFOs and three HR directors, departing the institution. Numerous staff members have expressed dissatisfaction with workplace culture and management practices, particularly under CEO Sonia Winner, indicating a prevalent feeling of being overworked and understaffed.

Founded in 1920, CMNH is located at 1 Wade Oval Drive in Cleveland and currently employs 164 individuals. The museum, known for its diverse scientific exhibitions and extensive ecological management efforts, generated $23,478,553 in revenue in 2024. As part of its mission, the museum aims to inspire a passion for nature and promote the protection of natural diversity through science and education.

In December 2024, CMNH unveiled a $150 million transformation project, which reimagines the visitor experience across over 375,000 square feet of newly expanded spaces. This initiative has attracted over 200,000 visitors, indicating a successful engagement of the public despite the internal challenges. The museum aims to present a unified story of life on Earth, moving away from a traditional timeline and discipline-based exhibitions.

In addition to its renovation, CMNH is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, boasting LEED Platinum certification and accolades such as the Ohio Museums Association’s Institution of the Year. The museum was also honored with the Prix Versailles award in 2025 for being one of the world’s most aesthetically pleasing museums. CMNH manages more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems through its Natural Areas Program, showcasing its dedication to environmental conservation.

Despite the achievements, the recent unionization has prompted the museum’s leadership to acknowledge the employees’ concerns and signal readiness to engage in contract negotiations with the new union. Employees have voiced their aspirations for better pay and a more supportive work environment, reflecting ongoing discontent regarding their roles and management styles.

Furthermore, recent staffing changes have raised eyebrows, particularly with the departure of Gavin Svenson, a prominent curator and chief science officer, who accepted a position at the Museum of Natural History at Oxford University in England. The museum is currently exploring options to fill the chief science officer role, with interim responsibilities being handled by other staff members.

Moving forward, CMNH faces the critical task of addressing employee grievances while maintaining its commitment to community engagement and ecological stewardship. The upcoming contract negotiations will be pivotal in shaping the future workplace culture at the museum, amid a period of substantial transformation and growth.

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Additional Resources

• Cleveland Scene: Museum Workers Unionize
• Cleveland.com: Chief Science Officer Departure
• Cleveland.com: World’s Most Beautiful Museums
• The Architect’s Newspaper: CMNH Transformation
• Cleveland.com: Chief Science Officer Leaving
• Wikipedia: Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Google Search: Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Google Scholar: Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Google News: Cleveland Museum of Natural History

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