The Art Institute of Chicago has announced it will lay off its entire in-house custodial staff, and subsequently outsource the positions to private contractor. This decision has caused severe backlash from the museum’s unionized staff.
On June 29, an initial announcement detailing the plan was released: 23 unionized custodial workers responsible for cleaning the galleries and facilities would lose their jobs. According to the AIC Workers United (AICWU), the institution’s union organization, many of the workers who are set to lose their current job have worked at the Institute for over 20 years. The employees’ last day is set to be August 14. Staff members have been offered the chance to reapply for their positions with the incoming private contractor.
The union workers are demanding the museum reverse its decision, and started a petition to give the custodial staff members their jobs back. According to the AICWU, the petition had more than 1,900 signatures on July 21…