Full Breakdown
Obama Foundation Employees Launch Union Drive at New Presidential Center
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Staff Seek Collective Bargaining Rights
Employees of the Obama Foundation and the newly opened Obama Presidential Center have filed an open letter calling for the creation of “Obama Workers United,” a union to be represented by AFSCME Council 31. The letter, signed by 68 workers, cites increasing workloads, rolled-back benefits and high turnover as motivations for organizing.
Background & Context: Center Opening and Financial Landscape
The 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center opened to the public on June 19, 2026. Construction costs rose to over $850 million, far above the original $300 million estimate. In the same period, the foundation’s total salaries and benefits climbed from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024, and CEO Valerie Jarrett earned $740,000 in 2024. The foundation raised $150 million in the most recent fiscal year and reported net assets of $1.1 billion.
Key Figures & Groups
- Barack Obama — former president; author of a 2016 letter encouraging union membership.
- Valerie Jarrett — CEO of the Obama Foundation.
- Luke Gilday — employee and member of the organizing committee.
- Anders Lindall — director of public affairs for AFSCME 31, overseeing the campaign.
- Emily Bittner — foundation spokesperson.
- AFSCME Council 31 — labor union partnering with workers.
Data & Statistics
- 250+ employees across Chicago, Washington, D.C., and remote locations would be eligible to join.
- 68 workers signed the initial open letter.
- A 30 % support threshold would allow the group to petition the NLRB for a union election.
- Approximately 200 eligible workers are based in Chicago; the remainder are scattered nationwide.
On-the-Ground Reports
Workers gathered outside the museum on a Wednesday morning, distributing buttons, stickers and copies of the open letter while posing for photos with union signs. Organizers reported circulating authorization cards and encouraging colleagues to sign, emphasizing a desire for a voice in decisions affecting wages, healthcare costs and time-off policies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Union Size: Sources vary between “more than 250” and “250+” eligible employees; the exact count remains unverified.
- Benefit Changes: Workers claim healthcare costs will rise, paid time off has been reduced and promotions suspended, but the foundation’s public response does not detail specific adjustments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.
- “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,” — Luke Gilday.
What’s Next: Potential Election Process
If at least 30 % of the prospective unit signs authorization cards, workers can file a petition with the NLRB to trigger a union election. No specific filing date has been announced.