Petition to Art Institute of Chicago Leadership: Give Our Custodians Their Jobs Back
Ricky Del Rosario-AIC Employee
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Ricky Del Rosario-AIC Employee ☀
On June 29, 2026, custodians at the Art Institute of Chicago were shocked to learn that museum leadership had decided unilaterally to terminate their positions on August 14, 2026, and subcontract their jobs to a private, for-profit company.
We, the undersigned staff at the Art Institute and members of the community, are firmly opposed to this decision. The choice to terminate these employees—including twenty-three members of AFSCME Local 37, the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United Museum Employees bargaining unit—is a devastating and unconscionable injustice. Several of these staff members have worked at the Art Institute for more than two decades; all of them carry out indispensable, difficult work for the institution, our staff, and our visitors.
This decision will result in reduced benefits for the custodial team, 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 programs. Beyond the financial impact, this decision inflicts a severe mental and emotional toll and destroys workplace trust.
Our lawyers at our parent union, AFSCME, have filed an information request and a grievance about the timing of this decision, which is a violation of our contract.
We are demanding to bargain the effects of this decision with management.
Our call to the museum is simple: Give our custodians their jobs back.