The Art Institute of Chicago Cuts Complete Custodial Staff

The Art Institute of Chicago plans to eliminate its whole in-house custodial workforce on August 14, according to the institution and the union American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 (AFSCME Council 31).

Up to 25 of the museum’s custodians — including 23 unionized workers — would lose their current jobs as part of the museum’s plan to outsource its custodial work to a private, third-party vendor, the museum announced at the end of June.

The affected workers are responsible for cleaning the institution’s galleries and facilities, and some of them have worked at the institute for decades. Hyperallergic reported the contractor will offer staff members new positions, contingent upon their completion of a separate application process.

Still, the union argued the position eliminations would reduce the benefits for the custodial team, including a loss of hard-earned paid time off, and the elimination of seniority privileges. It also strips them of vital Art Institute benefits, including access to higher education for themselves and their families through tuition remission and tuition exchanges, museum admission across Chicago, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs. Beyond the financial impact, this decision inflicts a severe mental and emotional toll and destroys workplace trust.

AFSCME’s lawyers at its parent union have filed an information request and a grievance about the timing of this decision, which violates its contract. The union is demanding to bargain the effects of the elimination decision with the museum’s management.