Former commander-in-chief Barack Obama’s massive presidential center is now facing another fresh round of turmoil just a few months after first opening its doors, as workers allege high turnover, heavier workloads, and cuts to benefits as they make moves to create a union. Those who work for the Obama Foundation and Obama Presidential Center announced that they are now unionizing under the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 31.
A total of 68 workers signed an open letter that accused foundation leadership of responding to workplace concerns with “vague responses.” The workers then explained that the organization has had a “high turnover rate” and that employees “continue to leave, taking with them their institutional knowledge and expertise.”
The union has not published a specific number of workers who have left since the campus, located in Chicago, opened its doors in June 2026. Those who have been employed by the center have expressed frustrations over pay, health care costs, time off, and opportunities for advancement. Union organizers say that employees were told they would not receive pay increases this winter.
In the meantime, the cost of health care continues to rise, paid time off is being cut, and promotions are suspended, according to a report from Trending Politics News. Luke Gilday, an employee for the Obama Foundation and a member of organizing committee, explained that workers want to have a direct voice in decisions that impact 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 went on to say. He then added that employees “don’t even have a seat at the table.” The efforts to organize come less than four months after the Obama Presidential Center opened to the public in the Windy City.
This is just another criticism for the facility that has already been slammed over its egregiously large price tag and imposing design. The center’s cost went up dramatically from its original estimates as construction ultimately took several years to complete. Before it opened, a few contractors also complained about unpaid invoices connected to work on the project.
What’s ironic is that Obama has a long history of championing organized labor, a point not lost on workers themselves. The letter they wrote quoted a message Obama put out during the 2016 presidential election that encouraged Americans to organize when 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,” the quote said.
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“If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it,” it added. Obama Workers United is expected to cover over 250 employees across the center’s campus. Anders Lindall, spokesman for AFSCME, said that organizers are already passing union cards around to employees.
“Generally, everybody wants a voice,” Lindall said this week. “That extends to compensation and conditions in the workplace and more.” Gilday also emphasized that workers are the ones behind the organizing efforts and are not trying to undermine the Obama Foundation or its mission. “Mr. and Mrs. Obama’s legacy is one of hope,” he continued.
“It’s one of fairness, and it’s one of transparency… by forming our union, all we’re doing is living out that legacy,” he added. The Obama Foundation said that it is in full support of workers’ right to organize, stating that they intend to cooperate with the effort. “We are deeply committed to the fundamental right of workers to organize and make their voices heard,” they said in a statement.