Staff at Chicago's Griffin Museum of Science and Industry are set to go on strike on November 29 if a deal isn't reached with management by then. The decision comes after union members authorized a walkout back in September, more than two years after the negotiations first began.
The museum's employees, represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), are pushing for higher wages and better benefits. They claim that despite being on the job for over two years, many workers haven't seen a pay rise since 2022, with some earning as little as $16.60 an hour - the city's minimum wage.
According to union reps, staff often have to take second jobs just to make ends meet, while others struggle to support their families due to low hourly wages of under $20 per hour. They're also pushing for better perks like holiday pay and paid parental leave, which they claim the museum doesn't offer.
"We make MSI a world-class institution," said Zach Kelchen, a guest engagement representative on the union bargaining committee. "We're prepared to do whatever it takes to secure the pay and benefits we deserve." The union is determined to push for real change at the negotiating table, with Monday's final session before the strike date looming large.
Management has previously stated that they value their employees and are committed to finding an agreement that works for everyone. However, with no apparent resolution in sight, museum staff are bracing themselves for a possible walkout on November 29.
The museum's employees, represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), are pushing for higher wages and better benefits. They claim that despite being on the job for over two years, many workers haven't seen a pay rise since 2022, with some earning as little as $16.60 an hour - the city's minimum wage.
According to union reps, staff often have to take second jobs just to make ends meet, while others struggle to support their families due to low hourly wages of under $20 per hour. They're also pushing for better perks like holiday pay and paid parental leave, which they claim the museum doesn't offer.
"We make MSI a world-class institution," said Zach Kelchen, a guest engagement representative on the union bargaining committee. "We're prepared to do whatever it takes to secure the pay and benefits we deserve." The union is determined to push for real change at the negotiating table, with Monday's final session before the strike date looming large.
Management has previously stated that they value their employees and are committed to finding an agreement that works for everyone. However, with no apparent resolution in sight, museum staff are bracing themselves for a possible walkout on November 29.
. I've seen friends struggle to make ends meet even after working full-time jobs, and it's not fair that they're having to take second jobs just to get by. It's like the city forgot about its own residents in terms of wages. And paid parental leave? That's basic human decency, you know? 
I'm all for a fair deal, but this is more than just about money – it's about respecting people's lives and well-being. My heart goes out to those workers, hoping they get the outcome they deserve 
.
This is just so unfair! $16.60 an hour? That's like, what, like fast food or something? They're asking for basic human decency here - you know, a living wage that allows them to support their families and not have to take second jobs on the side. And paid parental leave? Come on, it's 2025! We should be able to expect some basic benefits by now. It's like they're being treated like disposable labor or something. I feel so bad for these museum staff, struggling just to make ends meet while trying to do their job and contribute to the community. This strike is about time too - management needs to get its act together and start valuing their employees properly. 
. it's not fair that they have to take second jobs just to make ends meet... some of these workers are literally struggling to support their families 
. maybe management can just chill and listen to what the workers really need? 
it's all about finding that balance, you know?
... but at the same time, i feel bad for management too, they gotta balance the books somehow, right? 
... i hope they can work something out before it's too late, a strike could be super hurtful to all parties involved 
Museum staff in Chicago really deserve better 
and still ain't gotten squat 
, with some earning barely $16.60 an hour 
Most are juggling second jobs just to survive 
.
, especially when you're working hard to make MSI a world-class museum 
. It's time for management to step up their game 
and meet the union halfway 
. I hope they can reach an agreement before November 29 
it'll be sad for those employees 
I'm so sad about this news! A strike by museum staff is crazy because who doesn't love science and learning? 
The union reps are totally justified though - it's not fair that they haven't seen a pay rise in over two years. $16.60 an hour is like, super low even for minimum wage in Chicago. I feel bad for those guys having to take second jobs just to survive 
! It's not too much to ask for a living wage, especially considering how many people have kids or family members who rely on them. The union reps seem really determined and organized, which is awesome 
! Like, who do these people think they're working for? The employees at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have been negotiating for over two years and still haven't seen a pay rise since 2022?! That's just insane, fam 
. I mean, $16.60 an hour is like, basically minimum wage, right?! And to make matters worse, they're expected to take second jobs just to get by 
. Paid parental leave and holiday pay? Come on, that's not too much to ask for after working hard for so long 
. It would be so cool if MSI became a world-class institution where all employees are treated fairly 
.
. They deserve better pay and benefits, especially with all the new exhibits and events they're probably working hard to set up. 
. The union is being pretty vocal about this, which I think is great 
.
. They're not asking for the moon here - just fair wages and some basic benefits like holiday pay and paid parental leave 
. It's surprising that management hasn't been able to come to an agreement yet... maybe they need to listen more to what their employees really want 
Like, they're already working hard to make MSI a world-class institution and they can't even afford to live off their own wages? It's wild that some staff are having to get second jobs just to make ends meet... it's not fair at all 