Obama Presidential Center workers seek union over benefit cuts

Just months after the Obama Presidential Center opened in Chicago, workers at the center announced a union effort Oct. 7, citing heavier workloads and cuts to benefits.

Employees of the Obama Foundation, which runs the center, outlined their concerns in a letter to colleagues announcing the union effort.

“Amidst increasing workloads we have seen our benefits rolled back and support from leadership to be minimal. When we voice concerns we are met with vague responses, leading to uncertainty about our future with the foundation,” workers wrote.

The letter also said the loss of experienced colleagues had placed more demands on remaining employees and made it harder to maintain the quality of their work.

The workers also cited Obama’s own advice from a 2016 letter: “If I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I’d join a union. If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it.”

The proposed union, Obama Workers United, would represent more than 250 workers at the center and the foundation. Employees are organizing with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, which said Oct. 7 that 68 workers had signed the letter.

AFSCME told WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times that employees would face higher health care costs without winter pay increases. It also said promotions had been suspended and paid time off reduced.

In a statement provided to the outlet, an Obama Foundation spokesperson said, “We are deeply committed to the fundamental right of workers to organize and make their voices heard.”

The center opened to the public in June. Its museum examines Barack and Michelle Obama’s lives and the former president’s time in office.

According to AFSCME Council 31, employees are signing union authorization cards to seek voluntary recognition from foundation leadership.