A former employee tells Channel 11 more than 100 people will not return to work at the museum.
William Tolliver Jr. was one of them, who found out via email.
“It was impersonal, and said, ‘Hi friends,’ and gave a little update about COVID and went on to continue to say that your position has been one that been terminated,” Tolliver said.
Some of the biggest concerns obviously are that kids can’t come here and play, and also that so many employees were laid off. But some of those employees are saying that the biggest concern is that there were so many racial disparities inside the museum.
It was all detailed in an open letter to the museum after the employees were let go.
The museum wrote their own letter back saying:
“Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is aware of an open letter that raises questions about the museum’s operations and the difficult decisions that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to make. We can assure our members, visitors, partners, and the public that we are committed to continuing our mission, of spreading joy, creativity, and curiosity for children and their families, and that all of our focus is on providing the best interactions possible for staff and guests in any and all experiences with our team.
This pandemic has had a major impact on our operations and staffing model. We are heartbroken that it has become necessary to let go of our furloughed staff.
We realize how emotional and difficult this time has been for our employees past and present. We are regularly gathering and reviewing feedback internally and externally with the goal of improving the organization and the museum experience. This has become even more important with COVID-19 and the issues the entire world is facing around racial and social justice. As we have reviewed the most recent feedback in the open letter, we are reminded of our ongoing commitments to listening and improving, however we are also disheartened to see so many inaccuracies, unattributed quotes, false claims, and misleading statements.
We can agree and admit that no one is perfect and we keep that in mind as we set out every day to create experiences for our staff, artists, visitors, and partners that are positive and beneficial. We are working on identifying opportunities for expanding our commitment to equity and access for all of our visitors, staff, and partners in the most transparent way possible. We are also focused on doing the work to continue our Museum at Home and virtual / online experiences along with planning to reopen our buildings. This includes bringing back our staff in phases as we reopen and continuing to have conversations across staff, partners, and the community to make progress so that we can carry forward in serving the children of this neighborhood, this city, this region, and beyond.”
No matter what may have happened behind the doors of the museum before COVID, the public won’t be allowed back inside for months.
Museum officials say they are collaborating with several other organizations to create the safest reopening plan. When we find out what that is, we will be sure to let you know.
The Children’s Museum sent an updated response on Wednesday:
“The issue of social justice is of critical importance to the Children’s Museum. Since April, we have been engaged in the process of re-imagining our organization, including how to best ensure equity in all we do. As we plan for what the Children’s Museum will be when we re-open in 2021, we welcome the opportunity to learn by hearing the perspectives of individuals who have been, and continue to affected by racial and social injustice.
We are also reviewing the letter to understand the important feelings and experiences that people are trying to express, as well as looking at the claims that were made, which we are finding to be inaccurate and misleading.
For the Children’s Museum to continue to learn and evolve it requires dialogue, and having honest and sometimes difficult conversations. We want to make real progress, through our work, not just have a debate on social media, that is why we have continued to invite the letter’s author to meet with us but, until now, the author has not accepted.
We are always looking for additional opportunities for expanding our commitment to ensuring equity and access for all of the people we serve – staff, visitors, children, schools, partners and more. This has become even more important with issues the entire world is facing around racial and social justice.”
The museum wrote their own letter back saying:
“Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is aware of an open letter that raises questions about the museum’s operations and the difficult decisions that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to make. We can assure our members, visitors, partners, and the public that we are committed to continuing our mission, of spreading joy, creativity, and curiosity for children and their families, and that all of our focus is on providing the best interactions possible for staff and guests in any and all experiences with our team.
Museum officials say they are collaborating with several other organizations to create the safest reopening plan. When we find out what that is, we will be sure to let you know.
The Children’s Museum sent an updated response on Wednesday:
“The issue of social justice is of critical importance to the Children’s Museum. Since April, we have been engaged in the process of re-imagining our organization, including how to best ensure equity in all we do. As we plan for what the Children’s Museum will be when we re-open in 2021, we welcome the opportunity to learn by hearing the perspectives of individuals who have been, and continue to affected by racial and social injustice.
We are also reviewing the letter to understand the important feelings and experiences that people are trying to express, as well as looking at the claims that were made, which we are finding to be inaccurate and misleading.
For the Children’s Museum to continue to learn and evolve it requires dialogue, and having honest and sometimes difficult conversations. We want to make real progress, through our work, not just have a debate on social media, that is why we have continued to invite the letter’s author to meet with us but, until now, the author has not accepted.
We are always looking for additional opportunities for expanding our commitment to ensuring equity and access for all of the people we serve – staff, visitors, children, schools, partners and more. This has become even more important with issues the entire world is facing around racial and social justice.”
By: Gabriella DeLuca, WPXI-TV
