#sesameworkersunion
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We are so excited and so grateful to announce our union of workers from a broad cross section of Sesame Workshop employees.

We are smarter, stronger, kinder, TOGETHER! #sesameworkersunion #swu #opeiu #opeiulocal153
March 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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We are very excited to announce we officially have MERCH!

Proceeds go to a mutual aid fund for Sesame workers in need! 💚

A special thank you to our Swaggle Rock team for all their hard work in this endeavor 💚

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#sesamestreet #sesameworkersunion #union
A t shirt, tote bag, and hat representing Sesame Workers Union
April 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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Some very wise words from one of our amazing leaders, Melissa 💚 this speech is from our victory party!

#sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #union #1u #sesamestreet #hope #hopecore
August 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
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Slimey is here to countdown just 1 day until we vote yes in our union election!

Slimey reminds us that every voice, no matter how big or small, can make an impact 🧡

#sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #1u #union
April 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Anjuli starts with the letter A!

Anjuli supports SWU because she wants the “competitive pay, autonomy, flexibility, and support” to be extended to ALL Sesame workers!! 💚💚

#sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #union #1u
April 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
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In this episode of #storiesonthestreet, Julianna details her experience being one of the employees #sesameworkshop laid off.

We are asking Sesame Workshop Management to recognize our union. Petition link in bio 💚

#sesameworkersunion #sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #union #1u #unionizing
March 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
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H is for Hazel!

Hazel is voting yes on Wednesday because “the union gives us a chance to look out for one another and make our commitment to the work even stronger!”💚

#sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #union #1u
April 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
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We have new merch! Link is in bio and below 💚

Proceeds go to a mutual aid fund for Sesame workers in need!

Let us know if there are any other merch items you’d like to see 👀

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#union #1u #sesameworkersunion #sesamestreet
A shirt, onesie, and hat with Sesame Workers Union emblems
July 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
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Union days, sweepin’ the clouds away! ☀️

Here are some highlights from a recent article from the Tempest, featuring our very own Phoebe Gilpin.

“One thing we are trying to offer right now is hope” 💛

#sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #union #1u
April 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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After an energizing Election Day, we look forward to the ballot count on May 15th and making it official 💚

Thank you all so much for your support and kindness throughout our campaign! We all deeply appreciate it! Solidarity forever 🌈

#sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #union #1u
A group of Sesame workers at a park posing and raising their fist in solidarity
April 24, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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Who are the people in our neighborhood? Meet Alonzo!

Alonzo believes in Sesame Workers Union because it IS #sesameworkshop

Favorite Muppet: Cookie Monster 💙

#sesameworkersunion #sesamestreet #1u #union #unionizing
A man posing with Grover with the name “Alonzo” spelled in nostalgic magnet lettering A statement alongside a cartoon letter U that reads: “The Sesame Workers Union is Sesame Workshop. We are the workers that help elevate our mission and this initiative will help create equitable outcomes for all members of our community.”
March 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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The Sesame Workers Union is looking for a way to get to a fair & equitable Sesame Street. More than a year after employees at @SesameWorkersunion voted to unionize they’re still fighting for a contract that supports living in an increasingly unaffordable city. We stand in solidarity with their them.
A group photo of Sesame Workers Union at a rally for a contract. A group photo of Sesame Workers Union at a rally for a contract. A group photo of Sesame Workers Union at a rally for a contract.
April 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM
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Today is brought to you by the letter E! Meet Ed 💚

Ed supports SWU because “it has brought me closer to many of the people in my neighborhood.”

Favorite Muppet: Cookie Monster 💙

#sesameworkersunion #sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #union #1u
A man poses with Grover A statement that reads, “I’m so proud of my colleagues’ dedication to making the world a brighter place. SWU has brought me closer to many of the “people in my neighborhood” dedicated to helping children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.”
March 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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The letter of the day is N! N is for Nancy!

Nancy believes in SWU because it is “empowering and ensures a safe and inclusive work environment.” We agree! 💚

Favorite Muppet: Grundgetta 💚

#sesameworkersunion #sesameworkshop #sesamestreet #elmo #1u #union
A woman poses with Elmo with the name ‘Nancy’ above her in nostalgic magnet letters A quote that reads “Unionizing is empowering! It is the ultimate act of radical care to ensure my colleagues and I have a safe and inclusive work environment to continue serving the needs of young children everywhere.”
March 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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Meet Ricky! Known to SWU as ‘Uncle Ricky’ 💚

Ricky supports SWU because it ‘ensures a legally sound agreement with no gray areas’

Favorite Muppet: Baby Bear 🤎 & Big Bird 💛

#sesamestreet #sesameworkshop #sesameworkersunion #1u #union #opeiu
A smiling man (Ricky) poses with Ernie, Elmo, Big Bird, and Abby Cadabby A statement that reads “I am 40+ years of experience in the video industry, both Union and non-Union. Creating the SWU with my colleagues will ensure that both employees (including future employees) and the employer will have a legally sound agreement with no gray areas.”
March 27, 2025 at 7:25 PM
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First week of February. ❄️ It’s cold but it warms my heart to meet with and learn about the issues facing NYC’s workers—from union members who work on set 🎬 & behind the scenes 🎞️🎧 to those fighting for their first contract 💪🏾 like the @sesameworkersunion 🍪.
February 8, 2026 at 7:43 PM
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SWU has been awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights award for our union campaign!

This award recognizes all the work, care, and love every single organizer put in to this campaign. ❤️

We want to thank Jobs with Justice for this honor 💛💚

#sesamestreet #union #sesameworkersunion #1u
An etch-a-sketch on a desk with crayons and an SWU pin that reads, “Sesame Workers Union wins Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights award” An etch-a-sketch on a desk with crayons and an SWU pin that reads, “We, the workers of Sesame Workers Union, are overjoyed to receive this incredible award and want to thank Jobs with Justice for this honor. Our Union and this award is a testament to the impact that can be made when we care for our community, address our needs, and uplift and support one another to become smarter, stronger, and kinder together.”
August 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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Some tweets from the Street! 💚

A huge thank you to these politicians and to YOU for supporting our campaign!

#sesamestreet #sesameworkersunion #sesameworkshop #1u #union
A tweet from Zohran Kwame Mandan that reads “A majority of workers at Sesame Workshop asked for voluntary recognition of their union — only to be met with widespread layoffs. Unacceptable. @sesameworkshop should reinstate these workers immediately and open good faith negotiations with @opeiu153.” A tweet from Brad Lander that reads “I am disappointed to see the layoffs of @SesameStreet employees following their announcement of unionization. I call on @sesameworkshop to negotiate with @opeiu153 and @SesameWorkersU over the terms of these layoffs and recognize the union.” A tweet from @NYCPA that reads “We all grew up on Sesame Street values of fairness and kindness, which makes these layoffs even more egregious. @sesameworkshop, it’s time to negotiate with @opeiu’s @SesameWorkersU and work towards voluntary recognition together. Put your employees first on @SesameStreet” A tweet from Senator Kristen Gonzalez that reads “A day after 200+ Sesame Street workers went public w/ their union efforts, @Sesameworkshop began mass layoffs. With a mission that uplifts communities, they should hold true to their values by immediately recognizing the Union & open bargaining w/ @opeiu153 & @sesameworkersu”
March 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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SWU member Autumn Sancho spoke with @teenvogue.com about beginning a union on Sesame Street! It all began in the Cookie Monster Conference room 🍪 link to read more: www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to...

#sesameworkersunion #sesamestreet #teenvogue #union #1u
A woman smiles with Abby Cadabby on the Teen Vogue website Text that reads, “Autumn Sancho first learned her team was unionizing while on a break in the Cookie Monster conference room. A colleague asked Sancho if she supported unions. “And without even thinking, I was like, ‘Yeah of course’” she recalls. That’s how she ended up on the organizing committee - the core group of employees who coordinate actions, gather feedback from their peers, and educate coworkers about union matters. She calls unionizing “a crash course in professional development” that’s allowed her to hone leadership and interpersonal skills she never anticipated flexing. Text that reads, “I’m so lucky to work with some of the nicest, most hardworking and compassionate individuals who tirelessly dedicate themselves to delivering on Sesame Workshop’s mission of helping children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder,” she says. “And throughout my campaign, I’ve discovered that every single person is irreplaceable. They’re indispensable to the work that we do, and their voices matter as much as mine. And when we all come together, we’re able to advocate for each other and ourselves so that we can continue doing the work that we love and helping families everywhere.”
August 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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Why does Big Bird look so sad?

We can’t be sure but it could have to do with #sesameworkshop management denying workers severance with $439,021,780 in assets

(The financial data included is pulled from our most recent 990 tax form, published on sesameworkshop.org)

#sesameworkersunion
A picture of Big Bird looking sad alongside an article title “Why Does Big Bird look so Sad?” With the subheading “Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” is confronting what executives have described as a “perfect storm” of problems.” Text against an orange backdrop that reads: “Sesame Workshop cut about 20 percent of its staff, or nearly 100 people, a few weeks ago. Without the cost cuts, the organization would face a deficit of nearly $40 million next year, according to internal documents reviewed by The New York Times. Even with the cuts, it has had to draw $6 million from its investment fund for the first time in more than a decade to help cover some of the budget shortfalls.” Article text with a financial document below it. The article text reads: “Sherrie Westin, a 27-year veteran of Sesame Workshop who became chief executive last year, acknowledged in an interview that the nonprofit faced a new economic reality but said she was “confident we will be able to sustain this work.” “This is not a rejection of ‘Sesame Street’, and ‘Sesame Street’ is not going away,” she said. “But we absolutely have a responsibility to change as the world-“ The financial document below the text is from a 2023 990 form that states CEO Steve Youngwood’s compensation as $1,022,143 and then President Sherrie Westin’s as $864,748 An article text with a financial document below it. The article text reads: “But it paid off financially. Even as recently as 2022, Sesame Workshop generated $271 million in revenue and more than $20 million in profit, according to financial forms” The financial document (2023 990 Form) below the article text states reconciliation of net assets. The total net assets is “$439,021,078” and appears large and encircled
March 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM