AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond joined Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter and
Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea on Thursday at a rally supporting AFSCME-represented workers at the Chicago History Museum as they continue their fight against union-busting.
After cultural workers won their election to form a union with AFSCME Council 31 in April 2025, management retaliated by terminating and disciplining multiple worker-activists. More recently, the institution also unilaterally imposed layoffs with no notice to staff.
“Courage is what every one of you is showing right now. It is the same courage that has fortified Chicago’s workers throughout the history of this great union city,” Redmond told the museum workers. “It is the same courage that this museum proudly displays on its exhibition walls. It’s about steelworkers standing up to Republic Steel for the right to a better workplace and a better life. It’s about A. Philip Randolph and the Pullman Porters organizing for dignity and respect.”
Marissa Croft, an AFSCME Council 31 steward who was laid off during contract negotiations, spoke at the rally about the cruel and disrespectful treatment she and her co-workers received from management and how they have found their voice through collective action.
“The most important thing I’ve learned from both Chicago’s history and my own experience is the power of getting together with your fellow workers and talking about your working conditions,” Croft said. “The Chicago History Museum Workers United will keep fighting and winning because we know the power of a union puts us on the right side of history!”
AFL-CIO Daily Brief