CHICAGO – There’s yet another crest in the historic wave of workers forming unions at Chicago cultural institutions.
The National Labor Relations Board announced last week that employees of Shedd Aquarium won their union by a wide margin, overcoming management’s anti-union misinformation campaign.
More than 75% voted yes. When certified, Shedd Workers United/AFSCME will represent about 180 employees, marking nine straight victories for the AFSCME Cultural Workers United (CWU) campaign in Chicago.
“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,” the Shedd Workers United organizing committee said.
Shedd management retained two costly anti-union law firms and was charged with violating federal labor law in its efforts to prevent workers from exercising their right to organize. Workers announced their intention to form a union in the spring. Election results show that workers soundly rejected management’s relentless campaign of misinformation.
“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,” the Shedd Workers United organizing committee said. “With our victory, we urge management to take a new approach and respect us as equals as we take our seat at the table to negotiate our first contract.”
Shedd Workers United is part of AFSCME Council 31.
This is the ninth victory for cultural workers in Chicago who have come together to form a union with Council 31. Since 2021, AFSCME has helped workers form unions at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Museum of Science & Industry, the Newberry Library, the Notebaert Nature Museum and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (staff and non-tenure-track faculty).
“Shedd workers’ determination in the face of intense management pressure is inspirational,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. “We’re proud to help them claim their rightful voice in the decisions that affect their working lives.”
All across the country, workers at libraries, museums and zoos are joining together through the CWU campaign to negotiate for better pay and working conditions, demand equity and fight for transparency in their workplaces. AFSCME represents more cultural workers than any other union, including 10,000 workers at 91 museums and more than 25,000 workers at 275 libraries.