From "A Curator"

Sotheby's has locked out workers in the context of immense corporate profits. Details can be gleaned elsewhere.

I find myself working with Sothebys in my job, and am disturbed to know I am doing business with an anti-labor organization.

I would respond favorably to a challenge to propgressive sellers of art (collectors, museums and galleries) to insist that a portion of the premiums Sotheby's collects in auctions be redirected to the Teamsters or AFL/CIO. This can be insisted upon in giving consignments. If an entity usually pays 5% sellers premium, they can now insist that 2% of the 5% goes to AFLCIO. Or they can negotiate a lower premium and send the difference themselves. Given that Christies will usually match Sotheby's negotiated terms  in order to get
consignments, Sotheby's will lose consignments, or lose cash.

I am not in a position to PROPOSE this idea, but I am in a position to RESPOND to it if some individual or group can begin it.

Contacting high-level collectors might result in a much better response than you imagine. Many of them are real progressives....

Performance Opportunity for Monday, October 10

[From Chris]

Monday Morning Perp Walk

People are needed for a street theater performance & march on Monday morning. I am hoping to get people who could pass for bankers.

*If you can't pass for a banker it will not be as effective* although everyone is welcome, men, women, people of color, LBGT, non-gender identified, etc.

Hopefully you have a dress shirt that is either blue or white and a tie of any color. The point is to march a group of Wall Street types around like they have been arrested. Please contact me for details as this performance is meant to address VERY SPECIFIC issues about our lack of clear messages.

 

chris cobb

413-652-8250