Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Workers Ratify First Union Contract

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Staff at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago—who are represented by AFSCME—have successfully ratified their first union contract.

Workers first announced the formation of Museum of Contemporary Art Workers United/AFSCME in February 2024, which was organized with support from AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United campaign. Highlights of the contract include a 12% across-the-board wage increase, additional pay for members assigned bilingual duties, four weeks of paid parental leave, an improved retirement plan and more.

“Chicago’s cultural workers are proving that when workers come together, they can win better wages, stronger protections and a voice on the job,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch, who’s also an AFSCME vice president. “With the ratification of their union contract, Museum of Contemporary Art employees have won an agreement that reflects their dedication, rewards their hard work, and gives them a real seat at the table.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/09/2026 - 10:14

Tags: Organizing

AFL-CIO Congratulates Inaugural Class of Labor and Immigration Policy Fellows

The AFL-CIO is proud to introduce our first class of Labor and Immigration Policy fellows. While the fellows come from different parts of the country, different unions and different sectors, they all share one thing in common—they are all on the front lines of building the labor movement through organizing and defending immigrant workers. Each fellow was nominated by their home union, state federation or central labor council.

The fellowship supports these activists coming together, both virtually and in person, over a one-year period to build connections and support each other; strengthen their knowledge and skills through exchange and training; contribute to national and local pro-worker immigration policy advocacy; and amplify the critical work happening around the country.

In March 2026, the inaugural class of 27 fellows gathered in Washington, D.C., where they engaged with each other, as well as with union leaders, policymakers, advocates and organizers. Together, the fellows shared their experiences and strategized about how to defend our communities in a way that builds for a future in which all workers have full rights in this country. The fellows will continue to build together in 2026 and beyond.

The first class of fellows includes:

• Adrian Sauceda, director, inside construction organizing, Electrical Workers (IBEW)   
• Angel Castillo, organizing director, UNITE HERE Local 1 
• Anthony Samperio, political organizer, Oregon and Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers  
• Ashley Snider Hamilton, senior campaign lead, IUE-CWA; vice president, Kentucky State AFL-CIO 
• Belinda Lum, chief negotiator, Los Rios College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 2279  
• Brandon Johnson, trustee and shop steward, IAM Union (IAM) Local 2022 
• Chris Lee Daniel, strategic organizer/trainer, Georgia AFL-CIO 
• Cindy Marquez, financial secretary-treasurer, business agent, organizer and political director, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83  
• Danie Tarrow, collective bargaining representative, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) 
• Darrin Howell, organizing director, Massachusetts AFL-CIO  
• Dulce Gutiérrez, union, community and naturalization organizer, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO  
• Emily Markwiese, senior organizer, Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 277 
• Israel Flores, lead organizer, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 
• Jessica Márquez-Muñoz, office manager, Laborers (LIUNA) Local 386 
• Julissa Velazquez, community service liaison, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO  
• Len Harris, young worker and community organizer, Colorado AFL-CIO 
• Maira Rivera, executive vice president, Orange County Classroom Teachers Association; secretary-treasurer, Florida AFL-CIO 
• Marcelle Vielot, political trainer and lead organizer, Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council, AFL-CIO  
• Natalia Berthet Garcia, communications director, SEIU Local 509  
• Octavio Chung Bustamante, marketing representative, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, Great Lakes Region  
• Oscar Morales, organizer, Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 77 
• Pia Rivera-Jones, deputy executive director, People’s Organizing Center, MLK Labor  
• Raul Lopez Jr., assistant member program director, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW; president, Yakima South Central Counties Central Labor Council
• Rick Hernandez, president, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Louisville, Kentucky, chapter; organizer, Bricklayers (BAC) Local 4 
• Roxana Rodriguez-Torres, shop steward, Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 5017  
• William Martinez Perez, international organizer, Ironworkers   
• Zavier Myles, business representative, IAM District 776 

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/08/2026 - 11:08