Members of the Kennedy Center United Arts Workers-UAW who staff the dance program at the performing arts
theater were suddenly fired Thursday. In response, Kennedy Center workers and labor allies like Pride at Work led a rally to push back against this union-busting.
The staff terminations came after workers had been publicly organizing to form a union in the wake of President Trump’s efforts to radically reshape the institution. Union members and patrons of the arts marched together to demand that President Richard Grenell reinstate the fired staff with full back pay, and that the Kennedy Center immediately recognize the Kennedy Center United Arts Workers union.
“Yesterday—without warning or consult with senior artistic leadership—KC President Ric Grenell eliminated the entire Dance Programming team in the middle of its busy summer season,” Kennedy Center United Arts Workers said in a social media statement. “No justification, no cause. Just the latest move in the Grenell administration’s chaotic campaign of intimidation, harassment and retaliation against Kennedy Center workers…all while he drives the heralded institution into the ground. THIS IS WHY WE’RE UNIONIZING.”