Workers at the Obama Foundation and Obama Presidential Center have announced their intent to unionize, citing concerns over compensation, benefits, and workplace conditions. The organizing effort, launched this week with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, comes less than four months after the Obama Presidential Center opened its doors to the public in Chicago.
"If I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I’d join a union. If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it." Barack Obama, Then-President (2016)
An open letter, signed by 68 employees, detailed a series of grievances, including what they described as a "high turnover rate" and heavier workloads. Employees stated that their concerns have often been met with "vague responses" from leadership. The proposed union, to be known as Obama Workers United, is expected to represent more than 250 employees across the presidential center campus in Chicago, the foundation’s Washington, D.C., offices, and various remote positions nationwide.
Organizers report that frustration has been building over several key areas. Workers were recently informed they would not receive pay raises this winter. Concurrently, they state that health care costs are increasing, paid time off is being reduced, and opportunities for advancement through promotions remain frozen. This situation places the Obama Foundation's internal labor practices under scrutiny, especially given Barack Obama's long-standing public support for organized labor.
Luke Gilday, an Obama Foundation employee and member of the organizing committee, emphasized the workers' desire for a greater voice in decisions directly affecting their jobs. "What we’re hoping for, and really the reason why we’re forming our union, is just because we believe we should have a say in the decisions that are being made that impact all of our lives," Gilday stated. He added that employees currently "don’t even have a seat at the table." Gilday also clarified that workers are not seeking to undermine the Obama Foundation's mission but rather to align its internal practices with the values it espouses. "Mr. and Mrs. Obama’s legacy is one of hope. It’s one of fairness, and it’s one of transparency," Gilday said. "By forming our union, all we’re doing is living out that legacy."
AFSCME Council 31 spokesman Anders Lindall confirmed that organizers are actively circulating union cards among employees, stating, "Generally everybody wants a voice. That extends to compensation and conditions in the workplace and more." The employees' letter notably quoted a message shared by Obama during the 2016 election, in which he encouraged workers to organize if they believed workplace conditions needed improvement. "If I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I’d join a union," Obama said at the time. "If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it."
The Obama Foundation responded to the unionization effort by affirming its commitment to workers' rights. In a statement, the foundation said, "We are deeply committed to the fundamental right of workers to organize and make their voices heard. As members of our staff explore union representation, we approach this process with immense gratitude for their contributions, deep respect for unions, and a sincere commitment to working collaboratively with our partners in labor."
The Obama Presidential Center project itself has faced various criticisms even before its opening in June. These included concerns over rising costs, its architectural design, and the lengthy construction process. Some contractors also publicly complained about unpaid invoices related to their work on the center prior to its completion. Now, the internal labor dispute adds a new dimension to the challenges facing the institution established to preserve and promote Obama's legacy. The situation places pressure on the foundation to address the very types of labor issues that Obama has frequently championed throughout his political career.
