Staff members at the Obama Foundation are organizing to form a union with AFSCME Council 31. the movement involves more than 250 employees across the Chicago campus, Washington, D.C., and remote locations.
Rising costs and benefit cuts at the Chicago Presidential Center
The Obama Foundation is facing a significant internal challenge as a large portion of its workforce moves to unionize. according to a letter reviewed by Fox News Digital, workers are citing several core grievances that have destabilized the organization:
- Increased workloads and reduced benefits
- High staff turnover and the loss of institutional knowledge
- A perceived lack of support from senior leadership
This internal friction occurs as the foundation manages the recently opened Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park. the development has already faced local scrutiny, with some critics describing the center as an activism hub rather than a traditional library,while residents have expressed concerns about being priced out of the area.
The financial scale of the Obama Foundation has expanded rapidly in recent years. As reported by the Daily Mail, the foundation's total salaries and benefits rose from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024. this growth in spending has coincided with the very turnover issues that employees claim are stripping the organization of its experienced staff.
Valerie Jarrett's $740,000 salary amid employee grievances
Disparities in compensation have become a focal point for the organizing staff. Fox News Digital reported that foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett earned $740,000 in 2024, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the grievances voiced by the rank-and-file. Employees have expressed frustration that while leadership compensation remains high,the benefits for the broader workforce are being rolled back.
AFSCME Council 31 and the invocation of Obama's 2016 words
The organizing committee is working alongside AFSCME Council 31 to represent staff in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and remote roles. In their push for representation, workers have pointed to former President Barack Obama’s own historical stance on labor. The employees' letter specifically cites a 2016 message from Obama, in which he encouraged Americans to organize their workplaces to build security for their families.
Unresolved disputes at the Jackson Park development
Labor instability at the Obama Presidential Center appears to extend to its external contractors as well. Adamson Plumbing owner Mike Owen recently announced that his company suspended operations and laid off 25 union workers following a nearly $4 million payment dispute. This incident highlights the complex web of labor and financial tensions surrounding the Jackson Park site.
While the Obama Foundation has expressed support for the fundamental right of workers to organize, several critical questions remain. It is currently unverified whether the foundation will voluntarily recognize AFSCME Council 31 or if the process will move to a formal election. Additionally, the foundation has not yet addressed specific allegations from staff regarding "vague responses" received when voicing workplace concerns to leadership.
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