The union for Chicago History Museum workers claims there was retaliation by museum management against employees in response to organizing efforts, alleging that four members have been fired and five others threatened.
The union was formed earlier this year in February with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31. It represents nearly 70 employees, including curators, librarians, designers, visitor services associates, and maintenance technicians, and marks the latest in a larger movement of unionizing efforts at several of Chicago’s cultural institutions.
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Members of the union made the allegations in a letter sent to the museum’s board of trustees by Chicago History Museum Workers United on Wednesday.
“We were deeply disappointed by management’s response to our organizing effort,” the letter states. “Staff were intimidated, harassed, and bullied while trying to do their jobs for the benefit of our museum and community.”
The letter alleges that, on April 16, during a union action, two visitor services employees were verbally accosted by the museum’s senior HR director, who yelled profanities and threatened the employees’ jobs. According to the union, the incident took place publicly in front of other staff and visitors.
“This retaliation for their union activity is both unjust and illegal,” the letter adds. “We are committed to creating a respectful work environment that allows us to retain and attract talented and committed staff by addressing our concerns regarding wages, benefits and working conditions.”
The museum has yet to response to the allegations. The full letter from the union is available here.