Fighting for Fair Pay: Museum Workers Prepare to Strike

Workers at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry are gearing up for a strike. This comes after more than two years of negotiations for their first contract. The union, AFSCME, represents over 120 employees in guest experience, operations, and education. They are pushing for better wages and benefits. Many workers haven't seen a raise since 2022. A third of them earn the city's minimum wage of $16. 60 an hour. Most make less than $20 per hour. This makes it tough for them to make ends meet. Some even work second jobs or skip meals to support their families. The museum doesn't offer holiday pay for part-time workers. There's no extra pay for bilingual employees either. And there's no paid parental leave. These issues are driving the workers to consider striking on Nov. 29 if no agreement is reached. A crucial bargaining session is set for Nov. 17. The outcome of this meeting will decide if the strike goes ahead. Zach Kelchen, a union bargaining committee member, said they are ready to do what it takes. He emphasized that management needs to act now. The museum has stated they value their employees. They are committed to finding a fair resolution. But workers feel it's time for real action. Other museums in Chicago, like the Art Institute and the Field Museum, have also joined AFSCME in recent years.