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New York City Council
Committee on Civil Service and Labor
Feb 28, 2025
·
10:00 AM
1 hr 40 min
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Summary
A hearing on pending layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum focusing on the institution's plan to lay off 47 staff members, including union workers from DC37 and UAW Local 2110.
Discussions centered on:
- The museum's financial challenges
- The impact of layoffs on museum operations and community services
- Alternatives to job cuts
- The role of city funding in supporting cultural institutions.
Features testimony from the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), union representatives from DC37 and UAW, affected museum employees, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa's opening remarks on Brooklyn Museum layoffs hearing
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa opens the hearing on pending layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum, providing context on the museum's importance and recent financial challenges. She outlines the purpose …
0:00:54
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172 sec
Council Member Crystal Hudson expresses concern over Brooklyn Museum layoffs and cultural institution funding
Council Member Crystal Hudson addresses the oversight hearing on pending layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum, expressing solidarity with affected workers and concern over the impact of budget cuts on cultural …
0:03:46
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137 sec
Commissioner Cumbo introduces herself and the hearing topic
Commissioner Laurie Cumbo of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs introduces herself and the purpose of her testimony regarding the recently announced layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum. She emphasizes the …
0:06:51
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32 sec
City funding support for the Brooklyn Museum
Commissioner Cumbo details the substantial city funding provided to the Brooklyn Museum, highlighting recent increases in support. She also notes that despite this robust support, the majority of the museum's …
0:07:23
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41 sec
Challenges facing cultural institutions in New York City
Commissioner Cumbo outlines the major challenges facing cultural institutions in New York City and beyond, including shifts in funding sources, audience numbers, and economic pressures. - Philanthropies are shifting focus …
0:08:06
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115 sec
Impact of layoffs on museum workers and the community
Commissioner Cumbo expresses her empathy for the workers affected by the layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum and discusses the broader impact of these cuts on the community and families involved. …
0:10:02
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90 sec
Long-term plans and support for the Brooklyn Museum
Commissioner Cumbo discusses the Brooklyn Museum's plans for financial recovery and the Department of Cultural Affairs' commitment to supporting the institution through its challenges. - The museum's leadership is prioritizing …
0:11:32
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24 sec
The cultural sector's significance to New York City's economy and identity
Commissioner Cumbo highlights the critical role of the cultural sector in New York City's economy and identity, emphasizing its economic impact and the need for broader support beyond local government. …
0:11:56
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59 sec
Commissioner's personal connection and closing remarks
Commissioner Cumbo concludes her testimony by sharing her personal connection to the Brooklyn Museum and expressing her commitment to finding solutions for the challenges facing the cultural sector. - Cumbo …
0:12:55
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51 sec
DCLA funding allocation for Brooklyn Museum
Council Member De La Rosa inquires about the allocation of DCLA funding to the Brooklyn Museum for FY2025. Commissioner Cumbo explains that the total funding of $10,574,000 includes city council …
0:14:07
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159 sec
DCLA oversight of Brooklyn Museum finances
Council Member De La Rosa inquires about DCLA's oversight of the Brooklyn Museum's finances. Commissioner Cumbo explains the process: - The museum submits an obligation plan outlining how they intend …
0:16:46
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3 min
DCLA's awareness of Brooklyn Museum's financial situation
Council Member De La Rosa asks about DCLA's awareness of the Brooklyn Museum's financial shortfall before the layoffs were announced. Commissioner Cumbo responds: - DCLA was aware that many cultural …
0:20:31
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77 sec
Council Member Menin proposes using NYC & Company funding to support Brooklyn Museum
Council Member Julie Menin suggests using funds from NYC & Company (renamed Visitors and Conventions Bureau) to launch a targeted campaign supporting the Brooklyn Museum. Commissioner Laurie Cumbo agrees to …
0:21:47
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3 min
DCLA's requirements for financial contingency plans
Council Member De La Rosa inquires about DCLA's requirements for cultural institutions to submit financial contingency plans to prevent worker reductions. Commissioner Cumbo explains that DCLA does not have a …
0:25:42
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101 sec
DCLA's requirements for labor standards and union negotiations
Council Member De La Rosa inquires about DCLA's requirements for institutions receiving city funding to follow specific labor standards or engage in good faith negotiations with unions before implementing layoffs. …
0:27:23
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17 sec
DCLA's assessment of staff reductions' impact on museum missions
Council Member De La Rosa asks if DCLA assesses the impact of staff reductions on a museum's ability to fulfill its mission. Commissioner Cumbo explains DCLA's approach to funding and …
0:27:42
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89 sec
Suspension of Brooklyn Museum's First Saturdays program
Council Member De La Rosa raises concerns about the suspension of Brooklyn Museum's First Saturdays program, a free flagship event, and inquires about DCLA's perspective on its impact and potential …
0:29:11
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71 sec
Brooklyn Museum's pay-as-you-wish policy and accessibility
Commissioner Cumbo discusses the Brooklyn Museum's commitment to maintaining its pay-as-you-wish policy and the challenges faced by cultural institutions in balancing accessibility and financial sustainability. - Brooklyn Museum is preserving …
0:30:22
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3 min
Impact of program cancellations and consideration of alternative revenue options
Council Member De La Rosa expresses concerns about the impact of program cancellations and suggests exploring alternative revenue options. The discussion touches on the balance between accessibility and financial sustainability. …
0:33:34
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92 sec
Obligations of CIG members to maintain free programming
Commissioner Cumbo explains the obligations of Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) members regarding free programming and the various strategies institutions are employing to balance accessibility with financial constraints. - CIG members …
0:35:06
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3 min
Potential impact on funding if free programming is reduced
Commissioner Cumbo briefly addresses the potential impact on funding if cultural institutions significantly reduce their free programming. - At a certain point, reduction in free programming could affect an institution's …
0:38:12
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34 sec
DCLA's approval process for admission fee increases
Lance Polivy, General Counsel for DCLA, explains the agency's role in approving admission fee increases for cultural institutions and how this process is used to ensure continued accessibility. - Any …
0:38:46
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88 sec
Impact of layoffs on Brooklyn Museum's future city funding
Council Member De La Rosa inquires about the potential impact of the current layoffs on Brooklyn Museum's access to future city funding. Commissioner Cumbo responds, clarifying DCLA's stance. - The …
0:40:15
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58 sec
DCLA's role in helping institutions retain staff during financial downturns
Commissioner Cumbo explains DCLA's role in helping cultural institutions retain staff during financial downturns, focusing on strategic support rather than direct intervention. - DCLA helps strategize when institutions face challenges, …
0:41:13
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118 sec
Need for a sector-wide conversation on supporting cultural institutions
Commissioner Cumbo emphasizes the need for a broader, sector-wide conversation on supporting cultural institutions and their staff, moving beyond the specific case of the Brooklyn Museum. - The challenges faced …
0:43:11
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174 sec
Testimony by Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC 37, on Brooklyn Museum Layoffs
Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC 37, testifies about the alarming layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum affecting 47 workers, including 19 DC37 members. He expresses outrage at the museum's decision …
0:47:43
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9 min
Council member expresses support for workers and acknowledges layoff impact
Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa thanks Henry Garrido for his testimony and expresses her continued support for city workers. She acknowledges the widespread and personal impact of layoffs …
0:57:27
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33 sec
Discussion on museum's violations of union contract
Council Member De La Rosa asks Henry Garrido to clarify how the museum's actions violated the union contract. Garrido explains several violations, including direct dealing with workers, timeline issues, and …
0:58:00
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127 sec
Comparison of Brooklyn Museum director's approach in 2016 and present
Council Member Hudson inquires about the Brooklyn Museum director's different approach to the current financial crisis compared to 2016. Henry Garrido explains that the director is the same, but the …
1:00:11
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138 sec
Exploring potential solutions to prevent layoffs at Brooklyn Museum
Council Member Hudson and Henry Garrido discuss ongoing conversations and potential solutions to prevent layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum. Garrido outlines several ideas that have been proposed or could be …
1:02:29
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134 sec
Council Member Menin expresses support for union's creative solutions
Council Member Julie Menin voiced strong support for Henry Garrido's testimony regarding the Brooklyn Museum layoffs. She emphasized the creative solutions proposed by the union and urged the museum administration …
1:04:45
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34 sec
Union reaffirms commitment to fight layoffs
Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC 37, reaffirmed the union's commitment to fight against the proposed layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum. Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa concluded the …
1:05:19
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20 sec
Council member discusses union concerns and potential solutions with Henry Garrido
Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa engages in a Q&A session with Henry Garrido, discussing union concerns about the Brooklyn Museum layoffs and exploring potential solutions. They cover topics …
1:06:09
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4 min
Testimony by June Le, Public Programs Producer at Brooklyn Museum and Secretary of DC37 Local 1502
June Le, a public programs producer at the Brooklyn Museum and secretary of DC37 Local 1502, testifies about the recent layoffs at the museum and their impact on workers. She …
1:12:01
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3 min
Testimony by Maida Rosenstein, Director of Organization at UAW Local 2110, on Brooklyn Museum Layoffs
Maida Rosenstein, representing UAW Local 2110, testified about the devastating impact of recently announced layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum. She highlighted the union's concerns about the lack of good faith …
1:15:33
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9 min
Testimony by Ellen Nigro, Assistant Paintings Conservator at Brooklyn Museum
Ellen Nigro, Assistant Paintings Conservator at the Brooklyn Museum and member of UAW Local 2110, testifies against the planned layoffs at the museum. She emphasizes the critical role of conservators …
1:25:05
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3 min
Testimony by Elizabeth St. George, Unit Chair of UAW Local 2110 at Brooklyn Museum
Elizabeth St. George, a curator at the Brooklyn Museum whose position is being terminated, testifies about the impact of layoffs on the museum's operations and community engagement. She highlights the …
1:28:58
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3 min
Council member expresses gratitude and empathy to testifiers
Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa thanks the testifiers for their courage in speaking up and acknowledges the difficulty of their situation. She expresses empathy for their career instability …
1:32:18
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75 sec
Testimony by Brandon Mancilla, Director of UAW Region 9A, on Brooklyn Museum Layoffs
Brandon Mancilla, Director of UAW Region 9A, testifies in support of UAW Local 2110 members at the Brooklyn Museum facing layoffs. He emphasizes the union's commitment to fighting these layoffs …
1:34:48
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127 sec
Testimony by Vail Kohnert-Yount, Assistant Director of UAW Region 9A, on Brooklyn Museum Layoffs
Vail Kohnert-Yount, Assistant Director of UAW Region 9A, testified against the recent layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum, emphasizing the impact on union workers and the institution's collections. She called for …
1:37:04
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130 sec