New York, NY —Employees at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, voted 55-19 to join OPEIU Local 153.
After Sesame Workshop attempted to cancel the election twice and tried to turn away eligible employees on election day, the election results mark a significant milestone for over 100 workers at Sesame Workshop. Workers represent a broad cross-section of staff at the Sesame Workshop. The newly formed union is committed to strengthening workplace collaboration, equity, and transparency in support of the organization’s educational mission.
Sesame Street stands for community, fairness, kindness, care, and knowing the people in your neighborhood. The unionized staff look forward to collaborating with Sesame Workshop management as bargaining over working conditions begin. The workers behind this cherished brand and mission have the utmost love and respect for this national treasure. The Sesame Workers Union will be a critical example to other non-profits that joining a union can become reality.
For over 50 years, Sesame Workshop has educated generations of children through the beloved Sesame Street television show and global social impact initiatives. The program provides vital early learning to 150 million children across hundreds of countries. While the Sesame Street cast and crew—including puppeteers and writers—have long been unionized, this marks the first time administrative staff have joined a labor organization.
“With a history of unions at Sesame Workshop like WGA and SAG-AFTRA, SWU was founded on the basis of inclusion of the most Sesame workers as possible. The union is the people in your neighborhood, friends, colleagues, coworkers,” said Kristen Sandmeier, Sesame Workers Union. “Our union shows how we can come together in community and collectively negotiate working conditions that are truly responsive to the needs of all of our workers. We are so excited to certify the union and to begin working in harmony with Sesame leadership, ensuring a timely first contract.”
