Chicago History Museum Employees Form Union with AFSCME Council 31

CHICAGO – Employees at the Chicago History Museum are embarking on a new chapter by establishing a union.

On February 12, a public letter was released by 27 members of an organizing committee, announcing their intention to join forces with AFSCME Council 31. This communication was shared with fellow workers to gather support for their cause.

In their message, the employees expressed dedication to the museum's mission and the care of its extensive collections but highlighted the need for adequate resources and backing. “We are sincerely committed to this institution and the work we do in carrying out its mission and caring for its vast collections, but we need proper support and resources,” they stated.

The public letter outlined several goals for the union, including enhanced dialogue with management, greater job security, fair wages, and a stronger voice within the workplace.

The prospective union, Chicago History Museum Workers United/AFSCME, is poised to represent nearly 70 staff members, ranging from curators and librarians to maintenance technicians and visitor services associates.

Referencing Chicago's rich labor history, the employees expressed pride in contributing to the city's legacy while joining peers at other cultural venues. “The history of Chicago is deeply rooted in the labor movement, and we are honored to not only preserve and share, but to make our own place in that history alongside our colleagues at cultural institutions across Chicago,” they remarked.

Hannah Johnson, part of the organizing committee, shared insights with WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, noting the influence of recent union formations both locally and nationally. “We felt that now was a really good time to really seek out that sense of stability and security regarding our jobs, our wages and our benefits, and also request higher degrees of transparency from management,” she explained. “It does feel a lot more secure to see this snowball effect. … All of these other places in our city have done this and won, so why shouldn’t we? Why can’t we?”

The Chicago History Museum workers are part of a growing trend among cultural workers in the Chicago area joining AFSCME, following in the footsteps of institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry, and Shedd Aquarium.

AFSCME Cultural Workers United spearheads the largest organizing effort for cultural sector employees in the United States, representing 42,000 workers across various cultural institutions such as museums, zoos, and libraries.

This movement includes a diverse range of professionals, from curators to security personnel, who are essential to the functioning of America’s cultural institutions. Members hail from prominent organizations like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and many more. For a comprehensive list of represented workers, click here.