Lab workers at Tempus AI, a Chicago-based precision medicine company, have established one of the first unions in the biotech industry after a unique organizing process that culminated in their first contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
The campaign began when Tempus lab employees, many with advanced degrees and working on cancer research using artificial intelligence, decided to form a union to address concerns about safety standards, work-life balance, pay, benefits, and workplace equity. Rather than waiting for union organizers to approach them, the workers interviewed several unions before selecting IAM.
“They interviewed us,” said Chris Tucker, an IAM Midwest Territory International Representative. “They were interviewing unions and we were one of the candidates that they were looking at to form their union.”
IAM Midwest Territory Coordinator William “Bill” LePinske described the workers’ motivation: “They are at the forefront of technology, using AI to study diseased cells to improve cancer care. Yet, they believe that their work should not come at the expense of their rights and wellbeing. Their union will set a new standard for what workers can expect and demand in the biotech industry.”
Anson Poe, a Tempus AI lab worker involved in organizing efforts, explained why IAM was chosen: “We landed on the Machinists because they had experience with tech, they had experience with healthcare, and the reps I talked to were very responsive.”
Tucker emphasized responsiveness as key: “They chose the IAM because we were the most responsive. When they reached out to us, we got back to them right away, and then if we didn’t know an answer to one of their questions, we’d say so, we would find an answer, and get back to them with it, then we didn’t hound them. We gave them the information and waited for them to come back to us.”
Organizers learned that laboratory staff often faced long hours while feeling undervalued by management. Poe noted: “I just saw management never listening to their good ideas, and I wanted to make them listen.”
According to Tucker: “They needed our help. They know their field and workplace, and we know how to build a union. We came together, and they made this union their own.”
The organizing committee met virtually every other week for two years without missing meetings as they built support among colleagues.
“The committee was very resilient for two years,” said Tucker. “We met every other week in virtual meetings for two years… The committee was very dedicated… started their own communications.”
During this period workers created an identity—Tempus Unio—with its own name in Latin and logo featuring a fist framed by DNA sequence.
“They educated themselves. The company came to find that these workers weren’t scared at all,” said Tucker. “They knew their rights…and they weren’t afraid of the typical union-busting antics that companies do.”
Solidarity developed early among members during signature gathering for authorization cards.
“Even if they did feel like somebody was scared, the others would lift them up… There was such solidarity at an early stage,” said Tucker.
In March 2024 Tempus Unio voted for IAM representation; by then 443 lab workers formed what became Local H1—the IAM Midwest Territory’s first healthcare unit.
“What this group means to us is they have put us in a position where we are ready to take on any sector…” said Geny Ulloa of IAM.
Negotiations led by LePinske resulted in a contract effective April 24, 2025—just over a year after certification—that included guaranteed wage increases between 10%–12.5% over three years (with merit increases possible), retroactive pay from February 24th 2025 onward, wage protection language tied to new hires’ pay rates above minimums; annual company stock issues; creation of a safety committee; grievance procedures; arbitration processes; and improved paid time off rules.
“We got a first contract in only eight bargaining sessions,” said Tucker. “I really want to tip my hat to this bargaining committee… They took everybody into account.”
Ulloa added: “Securing the first contract without any sort of issues has sent a strong message throughout the labor movement and America saying we are ready…to take on any challenge that is put in front of us.”
The new local’s formal name is Next Generation Local H1—a reference both to youth within biotech research fields and technical terms used by staff such as ‘Next Generation Sequencing.’
“The name is symbolic of their young energy coming into the space,” LePinske explained. “It signifies that they’re going to do things in a bit of a different way… It’s a reflection of the work they do…and also signifies what they were trying to accomplish with their local union.”
