This piece is part two of a five-part series titled ‘The Danger Epidemic in Art Handling,’ published from September 2–6 in recognition of Labor Day. The origin of a complaint to OSHA concerning Perrotin’s New York gallery remains unclear. Some speculate an undercover OSHA agent prompted the investigation, while others suspect a former employee acted out of spite. Surprisingly, an insider genuinely concerned for their safety filed the report.
Three months prior, an employee lodged a complaint with OSHA, fearing retaliation from management. They shared their story anonymously with Hyperallergic. The employee witnessed declining conditions and high turnover in the logistics department. Despite working long hours, overtime pay was only instituted after a sales team member informed them of their entitlement.
The employee noted worsening safety standards over the years. Issues included blocked fire exits and improperly located offices. Despite receiving an OSHA report, the gallery’s response was minimal, focusing only on passing inspections. Perrotin confirmed addressing safety concerns, placing labor law posters in appropriate locations but failed to sustain improvements.
Tana Forrester, a workers’ rights attorney, highlighted that many art world employees are entitled to overtime. However, misinformation about exemption from overtime persists. Bergstrom, an experienced art handler, recounted several accidents and his own severe injury, which left him in debt due to a lack of workers’ compensation.
Despite his injuries, Bergstrom returned to the industry, finding a more supportive gallery environment. He advocates for better recognition of art handlers, emphasizing their crucial role in maintaining the art’s presentation. He now works for a gallery that values its staff, offering fair wages and a respectful work environment.
