AFSCME Members at Field Museum Win Contract
Chris Garlock | Published on 6/13/2025
Despite union-busting tactics from management, AFSCME members who work at the Field
Museum in Chicago have successfully secured their first collective bargaining agreement.
Staff formed their union, Field Museum Workers United, through AFSCME Council 31 in March 2023. Highlights of the contract include wage increases ranging from nearly 14% to more than 17%, increased compensation for bilingual skills and translation services, and an improved retirement plan. Workers credit the outpouring of community solidarity as key to this major win. This included massive attendance at a picket in front of the museum when management stalled negotiations—just a few weeks later, Field Museum Workers United members reached an agreement.
“That was solidarity,” said Stanley Banks, a bargaining committee member, in a Council 31 website post. “Museum guests were walking up and getting into the picket, some of them were members of other unions. That rally helped us create movement at the table. We created a strong foundation and now we’re ready to build on it.”