Shedd Aquarium workers win union vote, overcome management resistance

CHICAGO – A significant development in Chicago's cultural sector has seen workers at the Shedd Aquarium successfully form a union, marking a continued trend of unionization at local cultural institutions.

Following an announcement by the National Labor Relations Board, it was revealed that Shedd Aquarium employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of unionizing, overcoming a management-led misinformation effort. The vote saw more than 75% of the employees supporting the union, a move that will see approximately 180 workers represented by Shedd Workers United/AFSCME, an arm of the AFSCME Cultural Workers United (CWU) campaign.

In a statement, the Shedd Workers United organizing committee emphasized the importance of aligning their workplace sustainability with the aquarium's environmental mission, saying, "Shedd is an institution focused on sustainability for marine life. Together in our union, we can ensure an equal focus on making it a sustainable place to work.”

Despite the challenges posed by Shedd management, which included hiring two anti-union law firms and accusations of federal labor law violations, the workers' resolve remained steadfast. Their decision to unionize was initially made public last spring, and the recent election results clearly indicate their rejection of management's efforts to dissuade them.

The organizing committee further commented, “We formed our union because we care about our co-workers, we love the aquarium and we want to make it better for all. We won by overcoming management’s divisive anti-union campaign.” They also urged management to recognize their victory and work collaboratively on upcoming contract negotiations.

The Shedd Workers United is affiliated with AFSCME Council 31. This victory adds to a sequence of successful union formations within Chicago's cultural institutions, facilitated by AFSCME since 2021. Other institutions that have unionized include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, among others.

Roberta Lynch, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 31, praised the workers’ resilience, stating, “Shedd workers’ determination in the face of intense management pressure is inspirational. We’re proud to help them claim their rightful voice in the decisions that affect their working lives.”

This trend is part of a broader national movement where cultural workers are organizing to secure better pay, equitable conditions, and transparency in their workplaces. AFSCME remains a leading representative for cultural workers, advocating for over 10,000 employees at 91 museums and more than 25,000 at 275 libraries across the United States.