SFMOMA lays off 29 workers

SFMOMA is in the process of laying off 29 employees, according to Nat Naylor, the San Francisco director of representation for Official and Professional Employees International Union Local 29, representing museum workers.

“The museum gave the union less than 24 hours’ notice, with no opportunity to meet and confer,” said Naylor. “We had no chance to discuss the impact of the layoffs, negotiate a stronger severance package, or even assess whether these cuts were justified.”

SFMOMA did not respond to a request for comment, but released an announcement midday.

“This morning, SFMOMA took the difficult step to eliminate 29 currently filled positions—approximately 7.5% of our workforce—including 20 full-time positions and 9 part-time roles, affecting union and non-union staff. Additionally, the museum eliminated 13 positions that are either vacant or that will not be backfilled,” wrote museum director Christopher Bedford.

Naylor said the affected employees were called Wednesday for one-on-one meetings, and some were escorted out of the museum by security.