Workers at Shedd Aquarium vote to unionize

Employees at the Shedd Aquarium have overwhelmingly voted to unionize, making it the latest cultural institution in the city whose workers have decided to form a union.

More than 75% of employees voted in favor of union representation, according to a news release from Shedd Workers United, which is part of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31.

“We formed our union because we care about our co-workers, we love the aquarium and we want to make it better for all. We won by overcoming management’s divisive anti-union campaign,” the Shedd Workers United organizing committee said. “With our victory, we urge management to take a new approach and respect us as equals as we take our seat at the table to negotiate our first contract.”

When certified, Shedd Workers United/AFSCME will represent about 180 employees including guest relations, learning and community, development and others, organizers said.

Workers at other institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Newberry Library have also formed unions in recent years.

Workers at the aquarium announced plans to organize in April. That month, an open letter signed by 60 Shedd employees cited work-life imbalance, financial struggles and lack of communication from management, among other grievances, as reasons for unionizing. An “unsustainable working environment” has led to high turnover, “more staff injuries, high burnout rates, low morale and decreased animal welfare,” the letter said.

In May, organizers accused Shedd management of anti-union activities using “scare tactics and misinformation in an attempt to confuse, divide and intimidate workers,” according to a statement from Shedd Workers United.

“Shedd workers’ determination in the face of intense management pressure is inspirational” AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch said. “We’re proud to help them claim their rightful voice in the decisions that affect their working lives.”

Nationwide, AFSCME represents 35,000 cultural workers — more than any other union — at museums and other institutions.