February 27, 2026 — The Detroit Institute of Arts is grateful to its staff, whose talent and dedication make our mission possible. For decades, it has maintained longstanding, respectful relationships with the two unions that represent some DIA staff, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The DIA and AFSCME will continue to work together in that same spirit.

In November, the DIA received a request to voluntarily recognize AFSCME as the bargaining representative for employees who are not currently represented by a union. In response, the DIA and AFSCME agreed on a card check process for the group of employees in the defined bargaining unit to decide whether they want to be represented by AFSCME. That card check process was conducted today by a neutral third party. Through the card check process, the neutral third party determined that the majority of the team members in the bargaining unit want to be represented by AFSCME. Over 200 team members from departments across the museum will be represented by AFSCME in the new bargaining unit.

Both the DIA and AFSCME are committed to a fair, supportive, and inspiring workplace and look forward to a productive and professional relationship.