Chicago museum workers prepare for strike as contract talks stall. Staff at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry are set to go on strike November 29 if a deal with management is not reached, following a vote by their union to authorize such action.
The decision comes after more than two years of negotiations, with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing over 120 employees in various departments. The workers are seeking better wages and benefits, citing stagnant pay increases since 2022 and lack of support for working parents. Many union members earn less than $20 per hour, while part-time staff receive no holiday pay.
The strike is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between management and AFSCME. In recent years, employees from other Chicago museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum, have also joined the union.
According to Zach Kelchen, a guest engagement representative on the union bargaining committee, workers are determined to secure fair pay and benefits. "We make MSI a world-class institution, and we're prepared to do whatever it takes to secure what we deserve," he said in a statement.
The museum has expressed its commitment to engaging with AFSCME but has yet to make significant progress towards a comprehensive resolution that supports employees, visitors, and the institution's future. The union will continue to push for better working conditions, including paid parental leave, bilingual premium pay, and holiday compensation.
As contract talks reach their final stages before the strike date, museum employees are sending a clear message: they will not back down until their demands are met.
The decision comes after more than two years of negotiations, with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing over 120 employees in various departments. The workers are seeking better wages and benefits, citing stagnant pay increases since 2022 and lack of support for working parents. Many union members earn less than $20 per hour, while part-time staff receive no holiday pay.
The strike is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between management and AFSCME. In recent years, employees from other Chicago museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum, have also joined the union.
According to Zach Kelchen, a guest engagement representative on the union bargaining committee, workers are determined to secure fair pay and benefits. "We make MSI a world-class institution, and we're prepared to do whatever it takes to secure what we deserve," he said in a statement.
The museum has expressed its commitment to engaging with AFSCME but has yet to make significant progress towards a comprehensive resolution that supports employees, visitors, and the institution's future. The union will continue to push for better working conditions, including paid parental leave, bilingual premium pay, and holiday compensation.
As contract talks reach their final stages before the strike date, museum employees are sending a clear message: they will not back down until their demands are met.
I'm literally sending all my love to these museum workers 
They're fighting for what's rightfully theirs and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
It's about time we prioritize the well-being of our hardworking employees, especially those with families 
They deserve so much better than stagnant pay increases since 2022 
And let's not forget about paid parental leave, that's a total game-changer for new parents! 
My heart goes out to the workers at Griffin Museum and I'm sending all my positive vibes 
Can't wait to see what happens next 
anyways, it makes sense they want better wages and benefits after 2+ years of negotiations 
️ hoping they get a good deal 
. I hope they get some decent concessions, though - museum staff deserves better than living on scraps 
so like, I get that museum workers need better wages and benefits, no doubt about it. But 120+ people striking over this? seems like a big deal 
. And let's be real, working parents need more support than just a pat on the back. It's about time these museums prioritize their employees' well-being over just keeping the doors open 
. AFSCME is definitely fighting for what's right here, and I'm rooting for them 
It's gonna be super inconvenient for visitors.
.
, then maybe they need to rethink their priorities.
Museum workers in Chicago are getting ready to go on strike 
, but it's all stalled 
, who don't even get holiday pay 
! Fair wages and paid parental leave are a must 
. The workers are determined to make MSI a world-class institution 
, but it starts with treating their employees right 
. I hope everything works out and no one gets hurt 
). But seriously, these workers are fighting for some serious stuff: paid parental leave, bilingual premium pay... that's like, future-proofing their careers 
.
.
. It's like, they're already working hard to make the museum a world-class institution 
, but they can't even get a decent raise or some holiday pay? Not cool, mate 
. Paid parental leave is a no-brainer, tbh 
. I'm rooting for these workers to get the support they deserve 
.
. It's amazing that they're standing together as one union and refusing to back down until their demands are met 
.
. Fingers crossed that a deal is reached soon so everyone can enjoy the museum without any disruption! 
It's disconcerting to witness the precarious situation unfolding at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. The stagnant wage increases since 2022, coupled with the lack of support for working parents, has led to an existential crisis for the unionized employees. With many earning below $20 per hour, it's astonishing that they're not being fairly compensated considering their dedication to creating a world-class institution.
On a more pragmatic note, I wonder if there are more cost-effective solutions that management could explore to address the employees' concerns without resorting to a strike. Perhaps a mid-point compromise on wages and benefits could be reached, allowing both parties to find common ground while still addressing the workers' demands.
. It's not just about the money though - it's about having a work-life balance and some basic benefits like paid parental leave 
. I'm surprised the museum hasn't considered these demands already? It's time for them to step up and listen to their employees' concerns 
.
I feel so bad for those museum workers... 2 years of negotiations just doesn't seem like enough time to get things sorted out. It's heartbreaking that many of them are earning less than $20 an hour and getting no holiday pay - it's not fair at all!