Workers at the Aquarium of the Pacific announced plans to unionize on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in an effort to improve wages, development opportunities and more.

The new union would represent about 130 workers, including environmentalists, educators and guest services associates, among other positions at the Long Beach aquarium. The workers filed for union recognition through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 36, as the Aquarium of the Pacific Workers United.

AFSCME is the largest labor union for public sector employers in the United States.

Employees said they are “ready to have a voice on the job,” according to a press release from the AFSCME District Council 36. Aquarium of the Pacific workers play a vital role in keeping the aquarium a warm, welcoming and educational environment for the more than 1.6 million people who visit each year, union officials said.

Key factors driving the unionization efforts, according to the press release, are the growing use of generative artificial intelligence in the aquarium’s operations, wages that do not keep up with the cost of living, and a lack of professional development opportunities.

“We work hard every day, often doing the work of multiple people while facing constant changes and high expectations,” Krystal Gonzales, who works in environmental services, said in a statement. “We’re not asking for special treatment; we’re asking for fair workloads, support, respect and a voice in the workplace. We’re coming together because our voices matter.”

Aquarium of the Pacific officials did not respond to a request for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.

Many nonprofit and cultural institutions in Los Angeles County – such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and Academy Foundation of Motion Pictures – granted voluntary recognition to their staff unions, all of which also organized with AFSCME District Council 36 and are part of AFSCME Cultural Workers United, the largest organizing movement for cultural workers in the country.

“I believe that the key to a healthy working environment is a workplace where staff feel encouraged to speak up, share their thoughts, and truly feel listened to and heard in return,” Rissa Lising, who works in guest services, said in a statement. “Unionizing would give us a seat at the table and a say in our future that we previously didn’t have.”

City News Service contributed to this report.