This is a first for major presidential campaigns. The Bernie Sanders campaign has signed a union agreement with the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW).
WASHINGTON – Workers on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign voted to unionize on Friday, becoming what is possibly the first presidential campaign staff in history to organize.
A majority of the Democrat's staff signed on to unionize, meaning all current and future employees would be part of the bargaining process for better pay and benefits. The workers, everyone below the title of deputy director, will be represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 400, which represents about 35,000 employees in six states and the District of Columbia.
Jonathan Williams, a spokesman for the UFCW, said to his knowledge the Sanders campaign is the first to unionize in history, marking a new path that could be used for campaigns for years to come.
"The best time to join a union is always now," Williams said. "High working standards should be the standard and I would certainly call upon every presidential campaign to look toward the leadership Bernie Sanders' campaign has shown."
USA Today: Bernie Sanders campaign workers unionize, becoming likely first presidential campaign to do so.
It’s the first presidential campaign. Randy Bryce’s congress campaign was unionized in 2018.
From the UFCW:
First U.S. Presidential Campaign in History to Be Organized
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 15 — Workers on the Bernie Sanders Campaign today made themselves the first presidential campaign employees in history to win union representation, as a majority signed cards joining United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400.
This victory resulted from the Bernie 2020 Campaign’s decision to stay neutral in the employees’ organizing drive and its agreement to recognize UFCW Local 400 when a majority of workers signed union cards. As a result, all campaign employees below the rank of deputy director are now represented by UFCW Local 400 and negotiations for their first collective bargaining agreement will begin as soon as possible.
“First, I want to congratulate the Bernie 2020 campaign workers for making history and empowering themselves to improve their pay, benefits and working conditions with a strong voice in the workplace,” said UFCW Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “I also congratulate Senator Sanders for not only talking the talk but actually walking the walk when it comes to his commitment to uphold the right of every worker to bargain collectively.”
Bernie Sanders Campaign Workers Join UFCW Local 400
Here’s more with a quote from Faiz Shakir, Bernie’s campaign manager.
And a statement from Bernie about backing up pro-union words with pro-union action:
Bernie’s workers will have union wages and union protections. If you believe in unions and working people, toss a little to Bernie’s campaign on Act Blue through our BERN page:
secure.actblue.com/...
Bernie has been walking the walk for along time.