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Tell the Whitney to Cut Their Ties With Sotheby's

Tell the Whitney to Cut Their Ties With Sotheby's

392 signatures 108 to reach 500
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Started by Anonymous 14 years, 3 months ago


SHOULD THE WHITNEY MUSEUM TAKE A STAND FOR RACIAL and ECONOMIC JUSTICE?

WE ASK THE WHITNEY to join the growing chorus of artists, workers,politicians, celebrities, and art world institutions that have called on Sotheby’s to end the shameful 8 month long lockout of their art handlers.

WE ASK THE WHITNEY to publicly pledge to not buy or sell at Sotheby’s, nor accept any sponsorship money from Sotheby’s, nor host any event/s in conjunction with Sotheby’s, until the auctioneer puts an end to the cruel lockout of its unionized art handlers (70% of whom are people of color).

Sotheby’s handlers, who are predominately African American and Latino, have worked hard over the years to make the company profitable. Today they are struggling to provide for their families.

From its historic 1995 Exhibit on the Black Male, to its respectful partnership with its own employees’ unions, The Whitney continues to be one of the art world’s leading progressive and socially conscious institutions.

So why should the Whitney continue to do business with Sotheby’s, a company intent on destroying good working class jobs in New York City? Especially at a time when New Yorkers, especially New Yorkers of color, need them so badly?

PLEASE SIGN this petition and ask The Whitney Museum to live up to its reputation.

* When signing please list your Title and Organization.

Updates

Reached 250 supporters

April 26, 2012

April 26, 2012

The momentum generated by this petition demonstrates a clear expectation that our cultural institutions align their business practices with their public values. It is encouraging to see such a broad consensus forming around the necessity of fair treatment for all workers in the art industry.

Reached 100 supporters

April 25, 2012

April 24, 2012

The momentum behind this petition is increasing as we approach 250 signatures. Please encourage your professional colleagues to add their names to this request before we present it to the museum leadership.

6 Comments

T
Tanya Whitaker
14 years ago Featured

stop being greedy and look after the workers who make the museum what it is.

J
Jason Navarro
14 years ago Featured

Working class folks deserve way better than this. The Whitney needs to be on the right side of history for once.

E
Elena Rahman
14 years ago Featured

8 months? that is just straight up cruel. fix this already.

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Marcus Stevens
14 years ago Featured

Ridiculous to treat workers like this in this city. Support the people who actually handle the art.

S
Sarah Ford
14 years ago Featured

The Whitney claims to care about their community but this does not show it. Do the right thing and stop working with these people.

D
David Hill
14 years ago Featured

TOTAL SHAME. cut the ties now.

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