Local 26 of the Service Employees International Union announced today it will protest outside the Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ annual membership meeting tomorrow, urging members not to elect U.S. Bank CEO Richard Davis to their Board of Trustees.
Davis is the immediate past chair of the Minnesota Orchestra’s board. The orchestra has been locking union musicians out of their jobs since Oct. 1, 2012, and the 2012-13 concert schedule was wiped out as a result.
SEIU Local 26 represents security officers who work for the MIA.
In a letter sent to MIA members today, Local 26 President Javier Morillo urged members to take a good look at Davis’ record before voting in the Board of Trustees election.
“Given Richard Davis’s track record at the Orchestra, we are very concerned about the negative influence he may exert on the MIA board,” Morillo’s letter says. “The Orchestra’s recent actions have shown a callous disregard for its employees, the community, and the quality of the institution itself.
“Richard Davis has inflicted catastrophic damage on the orchestra and left fans disheartened and demoralized. Don’t let this happen to the MIA.”
Morillo called on Davis to remove his name from consideration, as MIA members must vote for or against a slate of candidates, which includes Davis. Members cannot vote against individual nominees.
In a press release, Local 26 announced plans “to greet those attending Thursday evening’s MIA annual membership meeting,” and said their members will be joined by Minnesota Orchestra supporters.
The membership meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. inside Pillsbury Auditorium on the MIA’s campus, 2400 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis.
