Mystic Seaport United Inching Closer to Being Realized

In a cozy Pawcatuck kitchen, a union meeting is under way. Not so inexplicably a scene from the pro-union film Norma Rae comes to mind; workers gathered, organizing.

In this scene, a group of Mystic Seaport, Museum of American and the Sea, employees and a few union organizers from the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers gather to discuss the continuing organizing process. The union will be called Mystic Seaport United and according to at least these staff members, most of the 200-plus employees are supportive and on board.

“It’s not personal. It’s not malicious. There is some real emotion here, real passion for the museum,” said Sarah Spencer, who works in the communications department at the venerable Mystic institution, a post she’s held for the past 22 years. “People love the museum. You understand you’re not going to get rich (working at the Seaport). You just believe in it.”

But just believing isn’t enough.

“We have no voice,” said museum interpreter Liz Kading who has been on the job since 2006. “Never mind have a greater say. We don’t even have a say. We’re voiceless. This union will give us a voice.”  

And one that “won’t be able to be ignored,” Seaport worker Dean Seder said.

And, among other things workers hope, greater autonomy, employment contracts that will provide for benefits, notice of layoffs and the like.

Kading said her department, museum interpretation, has seen layoffs and hours cut and worse.

“When they laid people off they didn’t even tell (people) they could get unemployment. People in my department had to decide between groceries and rent.”

Seder has worked in the shipyard at the Seaport for longer than many of the staff has even been alive. He began work in 1975; just three or four employees have been there longer. Seder has a weathered and rugged seafarer face and thick, calloused hands. And in both his demeanor and near four decades-long history with the Seaport, it’s clear he has an unparalleled love for the place. But, he said, “people are upset.”

“We went through some really bad management years and then (current president Stephen White) came and we said, ‘Wow, maybe there’ll be a new dawn.’ Then, within  a year, without any discussion they came into an all staff meeting and took three sick days and two holidays, without discussion, without negotiation.”

“Where was there recognition that we all really brought something to this place? I think they have truly heard us, but I don’t think they’re really listening.”

And while Seaport spokesman Dan McFadden told Patch last week that he would not comment on personnel matters and in any event, said had no idea what a reporter was referring to, the workers assembled Tuesday night that sat with reporters said otherwise.

According to Seder, Kading and Spencer, mandatory staff meetings were held Monday, “for the first time ever,” Kading said.

“The message was, ‘we can work this out.’ But they used language that (upset) people. Be careful, they said, be careful of what you sign. Be careful of trickery. (The word) consequences was used (meaning) if you sign,” Kading said. Sign cards that indicate an interest in forming the union which would be an AFT local.

“(The meetings’ message) was hugely intimidating,” Seder said.

And even though the workers Tuesday seemed resolved, they did say they had “concerns.”

“We don’t want to hurt the museum. We don’t know how bad things really are. If we find out we’re circling the drain…well, we’ll work with them,” Seder said.

According to CT AFT spokesman Eric Excell Bailey, it may be clear before the end of the week if the union is ready to move forward with elections. The AFT-CT represents some 28,000 elementary, secondary and higher education professionals, healthcare workers, municipal and state government workers in Connecticut. 

Lack of winter attendance shuttered the destination for several weeks this winter. According to the 2010-2011 annual report, the Seaport saw more than $6.6 million in gifts and bequeaths. Among other ongoing Seaport projects is its campus master plan, its new business model study, enhanced marketing and “pursuing collaborations.”