Obama centre staff organise union amid concerns over pay, benefits and turnover
Staff at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago say they are organising a union, citing rising workloads, reduced benefits and frustration that management has not addressed their concerns. The move matters because employees say high turnover is taking institutional knowledge and expertise from the foundation, just months after the centre opened.
A letter signed by 68 workers says they are forming Obama Workers United with AFSCME Council 31; organisers are circulating union cards, but have set no timetable for securing a contract. Staff cite higher healthcare costs, suspended promotions, reduced paid leave and no winter pay rises. The centre’s reported cost rose from an initial $300 million budget to more than $850 million, and its design drew criticism when it opened in June.
- 68 workers are organising a union at the Obama Presidential Center.
- Staff cite heavier workloads and cuts to benefits.
- The centre’s cost rose from $300 million to over $850 million.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Embarrassing blow for Barack Obama as workers at his ‘death star’ presidential center are already so fed up they’re leaving in droves… as stern letter is released”.