MSI Workers: "We're Asking For Living Wages!"

This guest blog article is by Brother Christopher Campisi, Local 308 Union Steward and Rail Car Repairer. At the time of this writing, he is running for Local 308 Vehicle Maintenance Executive Board Member.  

Below is my summary and report about a recent experience visiting with the Museum of Science and Industry workers' union.

    •    The workers voted to strike for a fair contract if demands are not met. 

    •    Most demands are to bring up pay and benefits for those who currently don't receive a living wage or benefits like holiday pay. The pay doesn't commensurate with the talents of the bilingual workers who welcome visitors from around World. 

    •    Demands include a fair contract for its many part time workers. 

    •    On Saturday evening an informational picket was held during the $700.00 a plate fundraiser for the museum. 

    •    This was the most disciplined practice pickets I have ever seen, with the strike line precision of the Miners they pay homage to on their logo of the pick-axe and science symbol.
One of the workers was happy that my wife and I understood the several layered significance of the pick-axe, a tribute to miners' struggle in the creation of Unions, and a tribute to museum workers who have tirelessly educated the world through its "Coal Mine" Exhibit since 1933.   

    •    The residents of the Midwest hold childhood memories from this Educational Institution and this last remnant of the 1933 Chicago's World's Fair for several generations, many Chicago Trade Union Members owe livelihoods and the success of generations to the Columbian Exposition, Worlds fair and Museum of Science.  


After leaving the picket I drove home past 7500 South Shore Drive (the scene of an atrocity that took place recently in Chicago), I am reminded of Arundel Elias and his wife Maria who were born into poverty barely able to provide for their children or pay rent. 

Arundel, Maria and their children crossed several borders and ended up in Canada.  Their son Elias was one of 16 children born in two different countries. Elias crossed the border from Canada to the United States. 

This hard-working immigrant traveled to several of our States and found work as a failed gold prospector, a teacher, and worked building the Union Pacific railroad in Colorado, just to name a few. He used his acquired talents to become a construction worker. Elias eventually Married a native-born woman Flora and moved to Chicago to work as a carpenter at the 1893 Colombian Exposition. 

If you're from Chicago you already know that Elias was never deported and separated from his Children, ICE never repelled from helicopters and smashed out the windows of his Chicago home. 

Elias was permitted to stay here, went on to work on the Colombian Exposition and what still stands is "the Museum of Science and Industry". Elias was said to be a trustee of his church, held socialist beliefs and a follower of Eugene Debs. Elias and Flora had 5 children and a modest home in Chicago.  

Their fourth child we all know was Walt Disney. We can only speculate how many "dreamers" amazing stories have been deported by Trump and ICE. But let's help the workers at MSI continue the legacy of toilers who, like Elias Disney, wanted the world that Eugene Debs described for workers, for community, and for family. 

I will be in contact with the Museum of Science and Industry Workers United, because as I said to a MSI worker "I just have a tee shirt with the coolest logo in Labor"  and more importantly to keep the world up to date on the Struggle for a fair contract at MSI. 

 The opinions expressed by guest bloggers here or in Shop Talk newsletter are not necessarily the opinion or sanctioned policies and actions by Brother Eric Curtis Muhammad Basir, ATU Local 308 members, elected leadership or stewards. In the spirit of the First Amendment and the ATU Obligation, all CTA workers and supporters are welcome to submit content of any point-of-view for this blog. Real identities will be hidden upon request.