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# Lewis Ginter workers will strike starting Wednesday, garden says it will remain open
- URL: https://www.richmonder.org/lewis-ginter-workers-will-strike-starting-wednesday-garden-says-it-will-remain-open/
- Published: 2026-09-01T22:22:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-01T22:27:14.000Z
- Description: In a statement, garden officials said they will operate on a normal schedule.
- Author: Michael Phillips
- Tags: Local News, Henrico County, #the-bridge

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents gardeners at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, said workers there will go on strike beginning Wednesday morning.

The employees voted to unionize in November 2024, but negotiations since that time have not resulted in an agreement.

The union has said employees are currently paid an average wage of $17.52 per hour. The group noted that MIT's Living Wage Calculator defines a living wage in the area as about $25 an hour.

[Lewis Ginter employees reject final contract offer, will vote on strikingHere’s what comes next for both sides.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-f7beeea1-0e64-4e8c-b50d-587189eec16c.png)The RichmonderMichael Phillips![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/2MFGHPT-6979495d-e7eb-4aaf-80e1-0bb9d3b6318e.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/lewis-ginter-union-rejects-final-offer-another-pe-cancels/)

In a statement, garden officials said they will operate on a normal schedule.

"Regardless of the Machinists’ actions, the Garden continues to support staff as we operate on our regular schedule, serving our mission to connect people to plants by inspiring the community to explore and conserve nature," they wrote.

"We value our staff a great deal, which is why over the last number of years we have continued to increase compensation and benefits. Like other non-profit organizations, our resources and year-to-year variations in donations and visitation make it difficult to do at the volume and speed that some may desire.

"We want our staff to thrive, have meaningful work in a collaborative, beautiful environment, but we also must manage the organization responsibly so that it flourishes for years to come."

Lewis Ginter CEO Brian Trader said in an email to garden supporters earlier this summer that the conflict has been costly. He said the organization has lost "tens of thousands of dollars in revenue."

The IAM union said the strike vote was conducted Tuesday, with an "overwhelming majority" in favor.

“These workers have been patient, they have continued showing up for their community, and they have continued doing the work that makes Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden such a special place,” IAM Union Organizer Bridget Fitzgerald wrote in a statement. “But patience does not pay the bills. These workers deserve a contract that recognizes their value and allows them to build a life in the Richmond community.”

*This has been a breaking news update.*

*Contact Michael Phillips at* [*mphillips@richmonder.org*](mailto:mphillips@richmonder.org)*.*