Workers at a Chicago Trader Joe’s have filed for an election with the National labor Relations Board, to be represented by Trader Joe’s United.

If successful, this will become the fifth location with union representation.

A union wave is striking Chicago. Since 2022, union representation has been secured at the Newberry Library, the Art Institute of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. These wins were in large part due to AFSCME’s national program, Cultural Workers United. The program gained momentum during the pandemic when worker hours were cut and when they were asked to work without adequate safety measures.

Workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga (TN) have voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the United Auto Workers. With over 80 percent of workers voting, some 73 percent voted in favor of union representation, despite dire warnings from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and governors from neighboring Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama, all Republicans. This was the only Volkswagen plant in the world without union representation.

Magic United, the character and parade performers at Disneyland in California, are hoping to be represented by Actors’ Equity. They have filed a petition for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, and are hoping to secure improved health and safety standards, fair schedules, job security, and higher wages. Their counterparts at Walt Disney World in Orlando (FL) are already represented by Actors’ Equity.