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Employees of the National Public Housing Museum (NPHM) in Chicago won their union vote and now have representation by the IAM.
“I’m proud to be lining up with a history of empowered workers, from all sorts of different fields of work,” said new member and NPHM employee Mark Jaeschke. “I think it really goes to show that all, all labor has value and all workers deserve strong representation in their workplace. It’s good to be part of that history.”
Initially the group was seeking voluntary recognition of their union from the museum, but it ended up going to a vote. The current employees of NPHM unanimously voted for IAM representation on March 17.
READ: Chicago’s National Public Housing Museum Employees Announce Union, Seek Voluntary Recognition
“The group reached out to us,” said IAM Midwest Territory Grand Lodge Representative Chris Tucker, lead organizer on the campaign. “When they reached out to us, we said we don’t care if you’re two or if you’re fifty, we’re going to help you.”
The group of four NPHM employees who are professional curators, artists, and designers will grow to 30 to 40 total employees with different scopes of work in the next year as the Museum hires more staff and opens after a long renovation – new staff will join the bargaining unit.
“After the expansion, the Museum will hire more employees, which will create both employment and economic opportunities for the community. The IAM is all about ensuring workers have a voice in the workplace,” said Tucker.
“Our union fights for all working people,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “We want to bring people into our movement who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity. There are a lot of museum employees organizing right now, and we’re happy to be a part of it and happy for our new members.”
The IAM has also represented employees of the Milwaukee Art Museum since November of 2020.
