Page 28 - Studio International - November 1971

effective date of 20 August, only two weeks later; 2 Pre-strike block party, the Museum of Modern Art,
it also announced that it had been considering New York
the cuts since last February. It claimed that the
3 Picket line
projected deficit for 1971-2 of $1,355,000
required the layoffs. (The violation of the 4 PASTA MOMA banner for women's march in
New York, Women's Day, August 1971
agreement to consult the Association provided
the basis for the Association's filing of an unfair 5 Picket line
labour practice charge against the Museum with
6 Picket line
the National Labour Relations Board. It was
even reported that an Administration spokesman
allegedly announced to managerial employees
that the two weeks notice given for the sixteen
dismissals was a 'game ploy' designed to 4
preclude the Association from any response to
the dismissal decisions.)
Not having been given financial data
adequate to substantiate the Administration's
claim that if the cuts did not take place as
planned, the Museum would have to close in
the relatively near future, the Association felt
obligated to take a strong stand against the
layoffs. It also voiced its concern over what it
viewed, after intensive investigations, as a
grievous lack of careful thought and
consideration given to the present operation
and future of the Museum. For example, 5
library acquisitions and services to the public
have already been curtailed; the number of
exhibitions has been reduced considerably,
without a thorough examination of income and
costs of all exhibition programmes; lack of
personnel in curatorial departments will
seriously jeopardize the upkeep of records of
the collection necessary for its accessibility and
preservation; and the fee for loans to
institutions from the collections will be raised.
The decision was made to strike on 20
August if the dismissals were not rescinded
pending further negotiations toward a final
contract. The propriety of the dismissals could 6
then be discussed in line with agreement on job for artistic treasures. It was conceived as an
security proposals (chronically lacking in institution that would work in and with the
private museums and a major concern of the community, vigorously participating in its life.
Association). Prior to the decision to go on Within the Museum's structure the collection
strike, the Administration (although the is an intrinsic and important factor.... On the
Trustees cannot be excluded from the total other hand, nearly all departmental activities
picture) suggested that a job security proposal contributed to the development of the
acceptable to them would be one which allowed collection.' John Hay Whitney: 'The Museum's
them the freedom to effect dismissals at their collection is a living testimony to the courage,
sole discretion, and no assurance was given that the generosity, and the enthusiasm of the entire
there would not be additional layoffs beyond Museum community—its Trustees, its patrons,
the thirty-six which had been announced. No its staff.')
compromise was reached, and the strike did The bodies on the picket line represented
begin on August 20 when the great majority of virtually the entire range of museum work: the
the staff walked out shortly after the Director group of about 200 which the Association
of the Museum, John B. Hightower, represents includes the curatorial staff, with the
announced that it was his prerogative to exception of full curators, whose inclusion is yet
dismiss anyone, regardless of contribution or to be determined; the staffs of the library,
tenure, and that all of the staff, including conservation, publications, registrar, finance,
himself, are dispensable and temporary in view public information, and of other programme and
of the importance of the Museum's collections. service departments. It also represents
(It is worth noting two opinions at variance operational personnel such as the sales staff
with this philosophy : one of René in the Museum's book-stores, receptionists,
d'Harnoncourt, a past Director of the Museum, and waitresses. Looking over the list, the
and one of John Hay Whitney, a Trustee.1 three-to-one vote to strike is a surprising show
René d'Harnoncourt: 'The Museum of Modern of community of sentiment.
Art was never intended to be merely a depository Because members of Teamster union locals

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