Campaign workers for Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign unionize

[Uncle Joe]

Campaign workers for Bernie Sanders' 2020 Democratic campaign have unionized, becoming the first presidential campaign workers in history to do so.

The United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 confirmed Friday that Sanders' campaign workers were the first to win union representation.

UFCW Local 400 President Mark P. Federici says he expects the decision will mean that Sanders' campaign workers have pay parity and transparency, as well as no gender bias and harassment.

(snip)

Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir says the Vermont senator is honored to be the first presidential candidate with a unionized workforce.

http://www.wfmz.com/news/ap-top-stories/campaign-workers-for-bernie-sanders-2020-campaign-unionize/1059868097

[CrossingTheRubicon]

1. Was this done primarily to end the sexual harassment of women working on his campaign,

or was the pay disparity between male and female staffers also a big part of this move?

[Uncle Joe]

2. It was done for those and other reasons as well. Bernie is happy with it, not surprising as

he is the most pro-union candidate running.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

6. Seems kind of sad that sexual harassment and gender discrimination drove the unionization effort...

rather than it being due to the pro-labor pro-union position of the candidate.

Doesn't make it quite feel quite like a victory, but a tainted achievement. At least to me.

[Uncle Joe]

9. Here is some more information for you from CNN on the issue

Bernie Sanders' staff unionizes in presidential campaign first

In a statement on Friday, the campaign said it had recognized its staffers' decision to unionize, making it the first major-party presidential campaign to employ a formally organized workforce.

Sanders tweeted that he was "proud" of the historical marker and, taking a page from his stump speech, tied the development to his own pro-union message.

"We cannot just support unions with words, we must back it up with actions," Sanders said. "On this campaign and when we are in the White House, we are going to make it easier for people to join unions, not harder."

(snip)

"We expect (unionizing) will mean pay parity and transparency on the campaign, with no gender bias or harassment, and equal treatment for every worker," United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 President Mark P. Federici said in a statement on Friday, "whether they're in Washington, D.C., Iowa, New Hampshire or anywhere else."

(snip)


https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/15/politics/bernie-sanders-campaign-union-2020/index.html

[CrossingTheRubicon]

10. Feeling "proud" about this might be warranted under different circumstances.

But as a result of rampant sexual harassment of female campaign workers and pay inequality in his campaign?

Things were so bad that the campaign workers felt compelled to unionize.

Actions do speak louder than words.

[Uncle Joe]

12. I believe most workers would be compelled to unionize. I couldn't agree more

with your last sentence.

[Nanjeanne]

3. Fantastic news. Hope others follow.

[Uncle Joe]

5. I do as well Nanjeanne.

[WeekiWater]

4. I see a strike around the corner.

And unions are there to fight for their members. Each act of impropriety will get the highest level of coverage possible. Unless this is a “backroom deal” to distance Sanders from his history of running campaigns that foster an environment of abuse.

Time will tell.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Why did he resist the CWG so hard?

Last edited Fri Mar 15, 2019, 11:45 PM - Edit history (1)

We’ll see how negotiations go.

[Uncle Joe]

8. Yes we will.

[floppyboo]

11. Right On!!! All Candidates should follow suit!

Unions will be a big part of any kind of future for ending disparity in all countries.
So proud of the Sanders team for making this a reality!

[McCamy Taylor]

13. Positive message! Positive action!

Yeah, Bernie!

[George II]

14. Surprising that the campaign wasn't unionized before they started hiring. Why is it...

...that the workers had to take the step of unionizing themselves? Plus, it's a strange union for them to belong to, "United Food & Commercial Workers".

And it looks like the President of the local has thrown down the gauntlet:

UFCW Local 400 President Mark P. Federici says he expects the decision will mean that Sanders' campaign workers have pay parity and transparency, as well as no gender bias and harassment.

Now, is he paying male and female workers the same rate of pay, is it $15 minimum and do they have adequate healthcare coverage?

These are the obvious questions that will be asked.