Union workers with the immersive arts and entertainment company Meow Wolf walked off site at the Grapevine Mills mall Friday at 5 p.m., kicking off a planned three-day strike over Halloween weekend.
This is an escalation of tactics following an informational picket staged earlier this month. Workers told 四虎影院 during the event that they鈥檙e seeking higher wages as the company is in the process of expanding to new locations in Los Angeles and New York City.
Daniel 鈥淢oony鈥� Joseph serves as strike captain. He is a security officer at Meow Wolf.
Joseph told 四虎影院 the strike is being held in response to 鈥渦nfair labor practices鈥� and 鈥渂ad faith bargaining that they have brought to the table in relation to fair wages.鈥�
鈥淪oon after our informational picket, we decided to go ahead and put the last, best and final offer that was presented to us to a vote,鈥� Joseph said. 鈥淚t was voted on by the unit 100% to vote the contract down.鈥�
A Meow Wolf spokesperson said in a statement emailed to 四虎影院 that the company believes their offer 鈥渢o be a fair and competitive package, recognizing the valuable contributions of our employees, while also ensuring the long-term financial health and sustainability of our business.鈥�
The statement noted that the Grapevine exhibition will remain open through the weekend. It reads, 鈥淲e remain dedicated to our mission, inspiring creativity through immersive art experiences, play, and exploration.鈥�
Alexis Stewart is a member of the bargaining committee and a guest services worker.
She said she feels a blend of anticipation, nervousness and excitement going into the strike.
鈥淚 think we're going to accomplish a lot. I think it's going to be worth the hassle, but it is still definitely very scary and unknown,鈥� Stewart said.
Stewart said the union has 鈥渃onceded time and time again,鈥� and that they鈥檝e 鈥渉it the bottom鈥� of what they鈥檙e willing to accept when it comes to wages.
Joseph outlined expected disruptions to staffing, security and customers鈥� ability to ask questions or buy tickets in person this weekend. He said he hopes the action shows that workers believe the contract put to a vote was unfair.
鈥淲e will not stop fighting until we are all equal across the company from exhibit to exhibit, from position to position,鈥� Joseph said. 鈥淲e are all the same people who deserve the same quality of living.鈥�
According to information from the Communications Workers of America, through which the Meow Wolf Workers Collective is organized, the National Labor Relations Board has investigated charges in over a dozen separate cases against Meow Wolf since 2021 for 鈥渦nlawfully changing working conditions without bargaining, ignoring lawful information requests, interfering with workers鈥� right to union representation and retaliating against pro-union employees.鈥�
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