Lewis Ginter workers consider striking after more failed wage negotiations
On June 3, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden workers’ union voted to authorize a strike if negotiations with the garden’s management continue to stall.
While workers have not gone on strike yet – that would require another union vote that would need a super-majority to pass – the union now has authorized the option with a 95% level of approval from workers who voted.
Negotiations over pay and working conditions have been ongoing between garden management and workers – who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union – since workers unionized in late 2024.
In April – just a month before Lewis Ginter unveiled its $31-million expansion of the garden – workers began protesting outside of the garden entrance after management said they would settle on 2.5% raises (about 44 cents more an hour for most horticulturists) rather than agree to the workers’ proposal of an across-the-board increase of $3.50 an hour. Staffers have not received raises over the past two years, workers said.
Workers are now asking for a raise of $2.15 an hour. The average wage for workers in the union is $17.52 an hour, well below the $25-an-hour rate that workers argue is a livable wage in the Richmond area.
“Lewis Ginter workers want to make working at the garden a career. Management seems content for the garden to be a low-wage ‘stepping stone’ on resumes,” said Bridget Fitzgerald, an organizer with the IAM Union.
The union has not scheduled an official strike vote, but said that the management’s wage proposals “remain regressive,” and if necessary, workers are prepared to strike.
“We don’t want to go on strike, but are confident if or when it comes to that, we’ll have the public’s support,” Fitzgerald said. “The workers really hope that LGBG management will put forth a proposal that reflects the respect and dignity these workers deserve.”
The union also filed an unfair labor practice on the garden on April 30, alleging that the garden was not bargaining in good faith over wage proposals.
Garden official: 'False information' has been shared about negotiations
But garden management said they remain “committed to the bargaining process with the IAM union” and continue to “negotiate in good faith.” In their most recent proposal to workers, management said they offered to “increase wages, again” for workers, although they did not disclose the actual amount proposed.
“A lot of false information has been shared regarding the circumstances surrounding negotiations. The garden has not engaged in regressive bargaining” said Lewis Ginter’s Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Mary Heather Parch. “Discussions are ongoing, and we are focused on working toward a resolution that serves the best interests of all parties involved.”
Union representatives pointed to the “well-compensated” garden leaders as proof that garden management can offer higher wages to workers. In 2024, Lewis Ginter CEO Brian Trader and Chief Advancement Officer Alice Baker reported more than $440,000 in combined compensation, with Trader making $236,000.
“I’m not implying that the top officers don’t deserve their salaries, but I certainly think that the workers who tend the garden and exhibits, who engage the community in education, who keep it clean and work behind the scenes, deserve to earn something closer to a livable wage,” said Fitzgerald.
An online petition in support of the union’s bargaining efforts has received more than 800 signatures from community members, several of whom said they were longtime paying members of the garden.
“I am a member, and love bringing my child to story times and to play in the garden,” said Richmond resident Garner Andrews. “The garden is so valuable, and we want workers’ value to be recognized through fair wages and benefits.”
“As a garden member and a former gift shop seasonal worker, I know the value LGBG brings to the community,” said Elizabeth Howard, a Henrico resident. “I hope to see a commitment from management to meet worker demands and ensure the garden continues to be a great part of Lakeside and the Richmond area as a whole.”
Several former garden employees also commented on the petition, saying that higher wages and better benefits would have likely made them stay working at the garden.
“I was a part-time staffer in 2021 and barely made ends meet,” said Sage Cannady, a Richmond resident. “I loved my coworkers and the work, but it wasn’t enough to keep me there. I have the utmost respect for these unionizing efforts.”
Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
