The Sustainability Committee would like to echo the sentiments of the Equity and Inclusion Committee concerning our colleagues at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the University of Washington Libraries, and others who are taking action as part of their unionization and negotiations. We applaud their brave collective action for positive change.
Economic and social sustainability are just as important to a truly sustainable future as the more often highlighted environmental sustainability: The importance of economic sustainability is clear in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 1 "No Poverty", Goal 5 "Gender Equality", Goal 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth", and Goal 10 "Reduced Inequalities" to highlight the obvious ones.
Fair pay, job protections, and affordable healthcare are increasingly relevant in today's economic climate. To ensure a sustained and productive workforce, museum workers deserve to maintain a standard of living that enables them to continue to work, enjoy a good quality of life, feel confident in their ability to retain their job, and feel secure with regard to their medical health needs. Fair pay and living wages lead to more economic sustainability, gender equality, and equity that allows us to work towards a more environmentally sustainable world. We cannot do one without the other.
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Museum of Art unionized workers who have just reached a tentative agreement. We commend you.
#Featured#sustainability