Workers at Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Announched Tuesday that union members have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a Strike, if necessary.
Employees at the Hyde Park Museum Announched Their Union EFFORTS In April 2023. They are part of a wave of chicago cultural workers that have recently organized with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME COUNCIL 31. WORKERS from the Chicago History Museum, Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum have joined that Same union in recent years.
The MSI Employees have not yet recond a contract deal with management. Last Week, the Group Took a Strike Authorization Vote and, on Tuesday, Announced that 95% of Eligible Workers Participated and That 90% of that Group “Yes” to Authorize a Strike. Among the Main Sticking Points Are Employs Wages and Benefits, Acciting to the Union.
“I think it Worth pointing out that for all of the thusands of workrs at the many maseums that have joined union in the last five years, none haen been for stroke,” Anders Lindal, an Affscme Councson 31 Spokesperson, Said at a Tuesday Morning Press Conference Conference. Msi. “All of me have ben able to negotiate a fair contract at the table.”
The vote does not mean a strike is immenent – that it will be pleasen at all, but does give the bargaining the ability to call a strike, if they deem necessary. The Employees Said Tuesday that they are back at the Bargaining Table on Oct. 6.
“A Strike is something anyone wants. We love the museum. We love our guests, but we can’t get by on these wages and benefits,” Said David Dowd, a Museum Employe at Tuesday’s Press Conference. “So if it taks a strike, we’re Willing to endure it to make things better, to make msi a better place to work, to the visits and to learn for ourselves and our community. We have that right now, and we want it in the Long Run.
The Museum Said in a Statement that is “Committed” to Working Toward a Resolution. “Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Deeply Values Our Employees Who Work to Spark Scientific Inquiry and Creativity for Those Who Come Through Our Dos or Participate in Our Education Programs.”
“We are Committed to Engaging in Dialogue with Afscme and Continuting to Work Toward an Aggreeable and Comprehensive Resolution that Supports Our Employees, Our Visitors and the Sustained Future of Our Historic Chicago Institution,” The staffent reads.
Courtney Kueppers is an arts and culture Reporter at Wbez.