Bernie Sanders Workers Become First Presidential Campaign Staff to Ratify Union Contract

[Uncle Joe]

(snip)

The contract sets clearly defined wages and benefits along with the opportunity for employees to earn performance raises. Field organizers, who will eventually constitute the vast majority of campaign staff, will have 100 percent of their health care premiums paid for by the campaign. And interns in the national headquarters will make a minimum of $20/hour along with full medical benefits. All hourly employees are entitled to overtime pay. In addition to health insurance, the contract provides broad coverage for mental health care services.

And in keeping with Senator Sanders’ emphasis on fighting income inequality, the contract puts a cap on management pay proportional to union employees’ salaries. Pay transparency provisions and a pay equity review process are also established for employees who feel they are being unfairly underpaid.

The first-of-its-kind agreement also includes robust anti-discrimination provisions as well as comprehensive protections for immigrant and transgender workers. And it establishes employee-led Labor Committees to address ongoing working conditions and other issues with management.

(snip)

“This was a model experience in every respect,” Federici said. “First, Senator Sanders walked the talk on unions, agreeing to a truly democratic process — neutrality and card check — that every responsible employer should embrace. And then, the campaign engaged in good faith bargaining, recognizing that it’s in their own interest to have well-treated employees empowered to operate at the top of their games. I urge every other campaign to follow their lead.”

(snip)


http://www.ufcw400.org/2019/05/08/bernie-sanders-workers-become-first-presidential-campaign-staff-to-ratify-union-contract/

[WeekiWater]

1. Great move.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=110500

[Uncle Joe]

2. By all parties for all parties, a historic agreement,

kudos to the workers, the union and Bernie.

[sarabelle]

39. So was OAC paying her staff the salaries she paid. Campaign staff is a temporary job.

I am glad they were able to unionize but why did the feel the need to? Joe is fighting for unions for families working hard every-day jobs to put food on their tables.

[ehrnst]

46. Contented workers generally don't unionize, but hey

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 11:09 AM - Edit history (2)

I guess this reflects well on management.

I'm sure if Walmart employees unionized, that you'd be praising Walmart for its visionary respect of its workers, right?

But certainly being the first POTUS candidate in history to have their staff feel a need to organize to get things such as pay equity and a formal grievance process is something "historic" all right.

Shows historic confidence of a staff in their candidate that he/she would have done those things anyway.

[Sunlei]

128. are you a contented worker? happy with your pay, benefits & 'work contract rules'?

[ehrnst]

129. Why do you ask? (nt)

[Sunlei]

133. because $20 Federal minimum wage & (gov paid) healthcare for ALL is Sanders platform.

All Americans should be in this "Union".

[ehrnst]

134. What does this have to do with his staff feeling that they needed to unionize?

There was a gender pay gap reported by former staffers, so even working for his campaign - without unionizing anyhow - wasn't a guarantee of pay equity.

In interviews, women told of makeshift living accommodations on the road, where they were asked to sleep in rooms along with male co-workers they didn’t know. Women who had access to salary records were taken aback to learn that some female staff members made thousands of dollars less than their male counterparts.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/us/politics/bernie-sanders-campaign-sexism.html

There was a big difference between what Sanders promised, and what his staffers experienced. This kind of gap is longstanding.

Also, when did Sanders promise a $20 federal minimum wage?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

104. Kudos to workers, the union and Bernie IS RIGHT!!! You'd think ALL Democrats would be proud

of this accomplishment!! But sadly, not.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[George II]

124. For the umpteenth time, BS didn't unionize his campaign, his WORKERS unionized, as a pre-emptive....

....move to eliminate all the abuses and harassment and pay inequality that occurred in his previous campaign. Back then they had nowhere to turn when abused and harassed. In fact the top person in the campaign was oblivious to it happening until early this year.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/10/bernie-sanders-apologizes-for-sexual-harassment-in-2016-campaign.html

Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., apologized on Thursday to women who were "harassed or mistreated" while working on his 2016 presidential campaign.

The apology comes after a series of sexual harassment allegations against top male campaign staffers.

In the statement, Sanders acknowledged that the campaign's "standards and safeguards were inadequate"

Why would Democrats be "proud" that a campaign in their party was so abusive to their workers that they had to turn to outside help to make sure it doesn't happen this time around? It's like being "proud" of building a new, fancy, strong barn door after all the horses got out.

[ehrnst]

130. I think it's more the accomplishment of the alumni staff who came forward with

revelations about workplace harassment and a gender pay gap, and how those things were not adequately addressed.

I truly believe that they inspired those that came after them to be proactive and get alternate grievance processes, and guaranteed gender pay equity in place from the start.

From the OP:

"I congratulate our members on the Bernie Sanders campaign for making their own revolution.”

[Politicub]

3. Walking the talk

very smart!

[Uncle Joe]

4. I agree Politicub

Having said that, this also just another natural extension from Bernie's decades long held political beliefs, following his North Star.

[ehrnst]

47. And perhaps a natural extension of the experiences of staff in previous campaigns.

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 10:03 AM - Edit history (1)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/30/bernie-sanders-campaign-harassment-1077014

[Fresh_Start]

82. also notable...walking the walk at the usual Sanders speed

decades after he claims to have beliefs/values he actually implements them

[Politicub]

89. Has another campaign formed a union for its workers?

If so, would you please point me to it?

[Fresh_Start]

92. how many other campaign's workers demanded it? nt

nt

[Politicub]

94. It's a good question. I don't know the answer.

I like seeing that a campaign has a union.

It reminds me of President Obama arranging the federal workforce as a model employer.

I hope to see more unionizing in campaigns and other jobs in the U.S.

This makes me more supportive of Sanders' bid. While he's not in my top choices, this is a step in the right direction. I don't really care if it's in reaction to behavior by his campaign staff or not. It seems like a just way to avoid bad behavior by workers and managers by giving union representative protection.

[ehrnst]

135. But the campaign didn't "give them" union representation. The workers got it themselves

and the campaign didn't fight them.

On February 26th, the campaign agreed to remain neutral in the organizing campaign and to recognize Local 400 if a majority of workers signed union cards.

Local 400 President Mark P. Federici: “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Even political work must be subject to minimum standards. I congratulate our members on the Bernie Sanders campaign for making their own revolution.”

[ehrnst]

131. No, the campaign didn't "form a union for it's workers," the workers formed it and the campaign

didn't oppose it.

From the link in the OP:

On February 26th, the campaign agreed to remain neutral in the organizing campaign and to recognize Local 400 if a majority of workers signed union cards.

“Political campaigns are cause-driven and because there is always more work that can be done, staffers are typically worked to the bone,” said Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Even political work must be subject to minimum standards. I congratulate our members on the Bernie Sanders campaign for making their own revolution.”

[Blue_true]

5. His campaign workers felt that they NEEDED a Union.

What does that say about how Bernie led his last campaign? My answer, not a lot of good stuff.

[George II]

16. No other campaign felt the need to unionize, that this one did isn't a positive.....

....it's a reaction to a major negative. And it was the WORKERS who unionized, not the "management".

[Uncle Joe]

17. It takes two to tango.

(snip)

All of this was made possible due to the adoption of fair labor practices by the Bernie 2020 campaign. On February 26th, the campaign agreed to remain neutral in the organizing campaign and to recognize Local 400 if a majority of workers signed union cards. This milestone was reached on March 15th, making it the first presidential campaign staff in history to unionize. Contract negotiations commenced shortly afterward, led by a committee of staff from the campaign. Negotiations were productive and the collective bargaining agreement was ratified on May 2nd by a majority vote of union employees.

“This was a model experience in every respect,” Federici said. “First, Senator Sanders walked the talk on unions, agreeing to a truly democratic process — neutrality and card check — that every responsible employer should embrace. And then, the campaign engaged in good faith bargaining, recognizing that it’s in their own interest to have well-treated employees empowered to operate at the top of their games. I urge every other campaign to follow their lead.”

John Marzabadi, who works on the advance team and served on the bargaining committee, echoed the call for other campaigns to organize. “I’m very proud of what our bargaining committee has accomplished to improve the working conditions and overall welfare of our campaign staff. In my view, the most worker-friendly campaign in the race ought to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Our contract sets the standard for others to not only follow, but to expand upon and I encourage fellow campaign workers to organize and collectively bargain for their rights.”

(snip)

http://www.ufcw400.org/2019/05/08/bernie-sanders-workers-become-first-presidential-campaign-staff-to-ratify-union-contract/

Do you support campaign workers' right to unionize George?

[George II]

19. That question is a deflection from the reality of the "culture" of Sanders' previous campaign, Joe.

No one is against the right of campaign workers to unionize. That's a "red herring" question, and irrelevant to the reason WHY the campaign workers have voted to unionized.

[Uncle Joe]

21. No it is the central issue of the OP, Bernie Sanders was the first campaign in U.S. history

to unionize.

Do you believe these to be good features as listed in the OP?

(snip)

The contract sets clearly defined wages and benefits along with the opportunity for employees to earn performance raises. Field organizers, who will eventually constitute the vast majority of campaign staff, will have 100 percent of their health care premiums paid for by the campaign. And interns in the national headquarters will make a minimum of $20/hour along with full medical benefits. All hourly employees are entitled to overtime pay. In addition to health insurance, the contract provides broad coverage for mental health care services.

And in keeping with Senator Sanders’ emphasis on fighting income inequality, the contract puts a cap on management pay proportional to union employees’ salaries. Pay transparency provisions and a pay equity review process are also established for employees who feel they are being unfairly underpaid.

The first-of-its-kind agreement also includes robust anti-discrimination provisions as well as comprehensive protections for immigrant and transgender workers. And it establishes employee-led Labor Committees to address ongoing working conditions and other issues with management.

(snip)

http://www.ufcw400.org/2019/05/08/bernie-sanders-workers-become-first-presidential-campaign-staff-to-ratify-union-contract/

Should other campaigns adopt them?

[George II]

23. If other campaigns had what has been characterized by its own workers as a "culture" of ...

....sexual abuse, harassment and pay inequality then yes, they should adopt "them". Are they called for? Based on history probably not. However, the fact that this campaign has done so is not a proactive, positive development, but only a reaction to the failures of the previous campaign.

Are you aware of the January 2019 meeting, about 36 hours long, of Sanders' 2016 staffers and workers to discuss the failures of the previous campaign? Are you aware of ANY other campaign organizations that have had such issues of such a magnitude?

The bottom line is that the 2020 campaign unionizing is not necessarily a positive, it's a preemptive reaction to a major negative of a previous campaign.

[Uncle Joe]

25. I take it that's a no, you don't believe other campaigns should adopt the

measures that were just approved by the Sanders' campaign.

Introspection is a strength George, it's too bad more political leaders in America don't practice it.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

26. Of course not... that would be acknowledging Bernie's cutting edge status.

EVERYTHING Bernie does must be disparaged... dontcha know?!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolutiion!!!

[ehrnst]

48. Cutting edge status...

I'm going to guess that Boeing is going to put out a new version of the 737-max and say it has "cutting edge" safety features, showing that they cares so much about safety that they did this voluntarily! On their own! Because they care so much about safety! They are leader in safety! And everyone should know that they totally care about safety!

Not because two of their planes crashed because of lack of oversight in the training and instructions. Not at all.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

50. Riiiiight... make an analogy that has nothing to do with Bernie and his cutting edge campaign.

I get it, you don't like Bernie... so don't vote for him. That doesn't change the fact that Bernie, with his forward-looking progressive agenda, who not only talks the talk, but has walked the walk his entire political career, is a superstar among his Democratic peers and is going to win the primary, easily, just watch.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

52. His entire political career?

So were these staffers lying?

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/30/bernie-sanders-campaign-harassment-1077014

I get it, you adore Bernie... so you shout down anything about him that might not be flattering. But facts are facts, and I don't think these women are lying.

Workers don't organize because they think management is 'cutting edge' on taking their grievances seriously.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

55. His entire political career, yes. Bernie's a progressive superstar...

which is why Bernie's the trendsetter that his fellow Democratic candidates are trying most to emulate in this primary election. He and his cutting edge campaign exemplify what We The People are hungering for and why Bernie has the best chance to defeat Dolt-45.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

64. So are you saying that his former staffers are lying? (nt)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

65. I'm saying exactly what I said... no need to change the subject.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

70. You said his "entire political career"

But if what those staffers say is true, then that's not really accurate to say, "his entire political career."

So, you're saying that the staffers aren't being truthful?

Because that's really the only logical conclusion.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

72. No, read what I said...or don't. I don't care. Your comments are amusing, if, as you say...

Bernie has no chance. The fact that some here pay so much attention to Bernie, and criticize him at every opportunity, with not one good thing to say about him, tells me they fear his cutting edge, forward-looking progressive campaign.

It's perfectly understandable to fear Bernie the most out of all the Democratic primary candidates, given his standing in the polls and the reception he's receiving from large crowds at his rallies. So, please, feel free to carry on. But, there's no reason to fear Bernie and his revolution... he's shining the light of truth to show Democrats the way forward and there's no going back now!!

All we need to do is follow Bernie to the "Promised Land" and say "hello" to President Sanders!!



Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

75. I read what you said, and it was a non-answer.

It's very difficult to hear things about your idols that don't match your idea of them.

I'd be very disappointed if you didn't believe women who who came forward with their stories of harassment. Especially those who were so supportive of Bernie.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

77. As I said, it's understandable why you fear Bernie is going to win...otherwise you would ignore him!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

78. It's understandable why you would fear hearing inconvenient truths,

because otherwise you would acknowledge them.

Those women who worked so hard for Bernie deserve to be believed, not dismissed.



That's really disappointing to hear, bLuE.

I worry about how you will do when he doesn't win. You have him on such a pedestal.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

80. More worried about you and your fear of Bernie... let it go and just accept the inevitable!

Bernie is gonna win this, as he's best positioned on the progressive issues voters care about and, thus, has the best chance of defeating Dolt-45. Your fearful attention to everything Bernie and your constant criticism of him clearly demonstrate this.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

86. Really got to you didn't it?

Like I said, I'm worried about how you're going to take it when he doesn't get the votes he needs. Your copying and pasting of the same phrases in response to being shown some pretty inconvenient truths is getting frantic.

You have him on what appears to be a pedestal, like so many do. Link to tweet
" target="_blank">He's human, bLuE.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

88. Not in the least!! The only thing "getting to me" is your fear of Bernie.

It's just so blatantly apparent, which I find somewhat amusing... so, yes, that DOES get to me!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

93. Frantically whistling past the graveyard...

You know what that means, right?

[BannonsLiver]

85. Ahahahahaha!

Unintentional comedy factor: 10

[George II]

66. The only "cutting edge" about it was that there was such a high level...

...of harassment, abuse, and pay inequality last time around that it made the national news and drove the workers to organize.

Poor working conditions was the impetus of the labor movement a century ago.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

87. I understand why you also fear Bernie is going to win the Democratic primary & thus pay so much

attention to him, criticizing Bernie and his campaign every chance you get. No worries though... like I said, fear of Bernie is just a sign that his cutting-edge, forward-looking progressive campaign is catching on with voters!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[revmclaren]

90. As a union member for years

I can tell you with experience that people join a union to protect themselves from a company or entity. They do not do it because they trust the company or entity.
And usually they do it because of the past history of negative actions by the company or entity.

Thought I would clear that up for you.



ONLY!!!2019 and beyond.

[ehrnst]

95. You keep copying and pasting that same response...

Is being reminded why staffers might have felt it necessary to unionize making you uncomfortable?

Is being in a position of choosing to believe the women who worked so hard for Bernie who were harrassed OR believing that Bernie doesn't make those kinds of mistakes as a leader making you that uncomfortable?

Keep on keepin on...

[BannonsLiver]

84. "Cutting edge status"

[LibFarmer]

100. when absurd meets surreal nt

[NYMinute]

102. Cutting edge spin?

[George II]

41. Reminder (again) - the campaign itself didn't unionize, the workers unionized.

If any of the other campaigns have the widespread "culture" (as it was called by some workers) of sexual harassment and abuse and pay inequality, the workers should take the steps they feel necessary to eliminate it. But I believe this is the first time a political campaign has been called out publicly for such treatment of it's workers:

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/30/bernie-sanders-campaign-harassment-1077014

Since that was the reason these workers felt the need to organize, lacking the pervasive conditions that caused Sanders' workers to unionize, other campaigns might not, but it's up to the workers, no one else.

Prevention would have precluded the need for introspection.

[ehrnst]

49. Yes, history shows that benevolent, supportive management was the true catalyst of organized labor.

The workers felt so empowered by progressive management that they organized not so much to protect their interests, but as a way to show the world just how great they thought working conditions were, and how evolved and supportive their employers were.

[ehrnst]

105. Argument from silence fallacy, also utilizing attacking a strawman.

Twofer!

[lapucelle]

36. I don't think that BS attended all 36 hours of meetings,

but he did manage to be there during that one hour that the Senate was voting on Russia sanctions.

[George II]

42. Yes, the meeting took place within minutes of the Capital, and went on from late afternoon until...

....the following evening. Curiously the only time BS spent at the meeting was the same time as that Senate vote to sanction Deripaska.

[ehrnst]

51. I understand that he joined them for lunch for about an hour. (nt)

Last edited Fri May 10, 2019, 11:17 AM - Edit history (1)

[WeekiWater]

112. "Bernie Sanders was the first campaign in U.S. history to unionize."

That is an inaccurate statement.

[Uncle Joe]

117. 1st Presidential campaign in history to unionize counting the primaries as a Presidential campaign,

Bernie Sanders’ staffers unionize in first for presidential campaign

Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign announced Friday it will be the first major presidential campaign to have a unionized workforce, as party activists push Democratic candidates to mirror their progressive platforms within their own campaigns.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/15/bernie-campaign-2020-staff-union-1223914

Sanders is first presidential campaign to approve union contract with workers

WASHINGTON — Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign said Wednesday that it is the first in history to ratify a union contract with workers.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/sanders-first-presidential-campaign-approve-union-contract-workers-n1003491

Bernie Sanders' campaign becomes the first-ever to unionize

Staffers for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign is now the first-ever major party presidential campaign to unionize, according to a statement released Friday. The campaign said that the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 had been chosen by the majority of the bargaining employees to serve as their exclusive representative.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-campaign-becomes-the-first-ever-to-unionize/

BERNIE’S 2020 CAMPAIGN MAKES UNION HISTORY

Bernie Sanders made history this week. The senator’s campaign leadership confirmed on Friday that they had voluntarily recognized the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 as the official union for workers on his presidential bid. In doing so, Sanders became the first major-party presidential campaign to recognize a union for its staff.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/03/bernie-sanders-campaign-union

[WeekiWater]

118. Correct. NT

[ehrnst]

123. The first Presidential campaign in history 'whose staff felt a need to unionize' is more accurate.

And Bernie didn't oppose them or fight them.

Doesn't sound like as much like a positive "first" for his campaign but more accurate.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

125. Yes Uncle Joe... so damn proud of Bernie!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

43. Apparently those campaign workers felt a need to.

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 11:35 AM - Edit history (4)

Can't say I'm suprised.

By saying "two to tango" are you referring to Bernie not forbidding them to unionize? Because that's not a tango, that's just one person dancing and another not telling them to get off the dance floor.

Workers don't organize because they think management is fantastic and will address their needs and rights without collective bargaining.

I'm sure that his staffers want to ensure that harassers in the workplace will be dealt with immediately and appropriately.

[BannonsLiver]

83. Probably won't matter when the layoffs start.

Between his money drying up and his tanking in the polls it’s starting to look bleak for Bernie.

[Politicub]

91. Wow - I didn't think I would see anti-union sentiment on DU. But here it is.

That's pretty sad.

The workers collectively bargained and formed a union. That's a net-plus in my book.

Every worker across the U.S. deserves the right to form a union; right to work laws be damned.

I'm not a big Sanders supporter, but I will call out good things the campaign and candidate do when I see them.

[George II]

96. Where's the anti-union sentiment? I don't see it.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

97. Props to you for recognizing this and giving credit where credit is due!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Blue_true]

119. People are not being anti Union. The point being made was one set of workers for one

campaign apparently felt a need to unionize. Unions have traditionally been the way to go when workers feel unsure about whether they are or will be treated fairly.

[George II]

6. Sadly this was prompted by the "overall toxic atmosphere of the 2016 campaign"....

....that wasn't addressed three years ago.

Sexism Claims From Bernie Sanders’s 2016 Run: Paid Less, Treated Worse

In February 2016, Giulianna Di Lauro, a Latino outreach strategist for Senator Bernie Sanders’s presidential operation, complained to her supervisor that she had been harassed by a campaign surrogate whom she drove to events ahead of the Democratic primary in Nevada.

She said the surrogate told her she had “beautiful curly hair” and asked if he could touch it, Ms. Di Lauro said in an interview. Thinking he would just touch a strand, she consented. But she said that he ran his hand through her hair in a “sexual way” and continued to grab, touch and “push my boundaries” for the rest of the day.

“I just wanted to be done with it so badly,” she said.

When she reported the incident to Bill Velazquez, a manager on the Latino outreach team, he told her, “I bet you would have liked it if he were younger,” according to her account and another woman who witnessed the exchange. Then he laughed.

Accounts like Ms. Di Lauro’s — describing episodes of sexual harassment and demeaning treatment as well as pay disparity in Mr. Sanders’s 2016 campaign — have circulated in recent weeks in emails, online comments and private discussions among former supporters. Now, as the Vermont senator tries to build support for a second run at the White House, his perceived failure to address this issue has damaged his progressive bona fides, delegates and nearly a dozen former state and national staff members said in interviews over the last month.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/us/politics/bernie-sanders-campaign-sexism.html

[Uncle Joe]

7. Sadly I believe you will find this a bit more common in other campaigns as well.

I also believe other candidates will follow suit and unionize their campaign.

[George II]

8. Candidates don't unionize, their workers unionize. This isn't Sanders' doing, well....

....maybe it is, but not in a direct and positive way.

[Uncle Joe]

9. Time will tell

(snip)

All of this was made possible due to the adoption of fair labor practices by the Bernie 2020 campaign. On February 26th, the campaign agreed to remain neutral in the organizing campaign and to recognize Local 400 if a majority of workers signed union cards. This milestone was reached on March 15th, making it the first presidential campaign staff in history to unionize. Contract negotiations commenced shortly afterward, led by a committee of staff from the campaign. Negotiations were productive and the collective bargaining agreement was ratified on May 2nd by a majority vote of union employees.

“This was a model experience in every respect,” Federici said. “First, Senator Sanders walked the talk on unions, agreeing to a truly democratic process — neutrality and card check — that every responsible employer should embrace. And then, the campaign engaged in good faith bargaining, recognizing that it’s in their own interest to have well-treated employees empowered to operate at the top of their games. I urge every other campaign to follow their lead.”

John Marzabadi, who works on the advance team and served on the bargaining committee, echoed the call for other campaigns to organize. “I’m very proud of what our bargaining committee has accomplished to improve the working conditions and overall welfare of our campaign staff. In my view, the most worker-friendly campaign in the race ought to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Our contract sets the standard for others to not only follow, but to expand upon and I encourage fellow campaign workers to organize and collectively bargain for their rights.”

http://www.ufcw400.org/2019/05/08/bernie-sanders-workers-become-first-presidential-campaign-staff-to-ratify-union-contract/

[George II]

11. I'm speechless, or should I say typeless.

[NYMinute]

29. Workers in Sanders' campaign felt like they needed the protection

provided by a union because of massive sexual harassment and salary discrepancies between women and me. In one example given, a woman manager's subordinates were making over twice as much as the woman they were reporting to.

This is unheard of in any well-managed organization.

[ehrnst]

67. Bernie didn't stop his staffers from organizing. Yay.

The first POTUS campaign ever where staffers felt the need to organize and collectively bargain for pay equity and safe work environment.

Historic indeed!

Time will tell if collective bargaining will make a difference for the better in his staffers' experiences on his POTUS campaign trail.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

99. Yes it will... and time will tell voters that moves like this are why Bernie's the most progressive

Democratic candidate running who represents their wants and needs, and, therefore, has the best chance of defeating Dolt45!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Uncle Joe]

12. Don't put quotation marks attributed to me that were never stated and you

slander me as I never in any way shape or form was giving "excuse" to this.

If one believes that sexual harassment to be the sole monopoly of Bernie's 2016 campaign and not a national issue in all manner of institutions then you would have to be either exceptionally naive or willfully ignorant.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

27. Welcome to "Straw Man World" Uncle Joe!! Make yourself at home!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[NYMinute]

30. There was no strawman there

The poster's own statement was called into question.

[ehrnst]

56. IKR? (nt)

[sheshe2]

13. Common? This is a common occurrence?

"a bit more common in other campaigns as well."

Uncle Joe

7. Sadly I believe you will find this a bit more common in other campaigns as well.

A BIT MORE COMMON?! WTH! What is COMMON about sexual harassment on the job. Uncle Joe, you are trivializing sexual harassment and that is not a good look.



So who else are you referring to here? What other campaigns are you saying will be accused in the near future? Warren. Beto. Harris. Castro. Pete. Oh wait...you mean Biden.

[Uncle Joe]

14. Google "sexual harassment and political campaigns,"

then get back with me.

I believe it's great that Bernie Sanders had the first Presidential Campaign (in U.S. history I believe) to unionize don't you sheshe?

Or do you oppose Presidential Campaign workers' right to unionize?

[George II]

18. Yes, the first campaign (not "Presidential", he's not the nominee) that unionized, but....

....the first campaign workers who felt the need to do so. This is not a positive, it's a reaction to a major negative of a "culture"* of sexual abuse and harassment in the previous campaign. Why is this considered a good thing?

*"culture" is the characterization of those who were abused and harassed.

[Uncle Joe]

22. Thanks for the correction, first campaign unless Bernie is nominated in which case it would be

the first Presidential Campaign in U.S. history to unionize.

Do you believe these policies to be good for campaign workers?

snip)

The contract sets clearly defined wages and benefits along with the opportunity for employees to earn performance raises. Field organizers, who will eventually constitute the vast majority of campaign staff, will have 100 percent of their health care premiums paid for by the campaign. And interns in the national headquarters will make a minimum of $20/hour along with full medical benefits. All hourly employees are entitled to overtime pay. In addition to health insurance, the contract provides broad coverage for mental health care services.

And in keeping with Senator Sanders’ emphasis on fighting income inequality, the contract puts a cap on management pay proportional to union employees’ salaries. Pay transparency provisions and a pay equity review process are also established for employees who feel they are being unfairly underpaid.

The first-of-its-kind agreement also includes robust anti-discrimination provisions as well as comprehensive protections for immigrant and transgender workers. And it establishes employee-led Labor Committees to address ongoing working conditions and other issues with management.

(snip)

http://www.ufcw400.org/2019/05/08/bernie-sanders-workers-become-first-presidential-campaign-staff-to-ratify-union-contract/

Should other campaigns adopt them?

[George II]

24. I've already answered this previously asked question in post #23.

[ehrnst]

57. Do you believe that when workers feel a need to organize, it's a feather in the cap of management?

Especially when management has a history of pay inequity and failure to address worker grievances that's not "business as usual" in other similar workplaces? No, you haven't presented any evidence that this is typical of all campaigns - let alone those of candidates that claim the mantle of the most progressive candidate ever?

I think not prohibiting the campaign workers from unionizing is a good thing, yes. Spinning it that it's somehow groundbreaking in a good way on the part of management isn't something that as a supporter of unions I think is warranted.

It think it's status quo political campaign spin - "if you can't fix it, feature it!"

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. Couldn't agree with Uncle Joe more... good for his support of Bernie!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

60. Yay! Bernie's staff felt a need to organize for collective bargaining!

[ehrnst]

59. Bernie didn't unionize his campaign - his staffers did. Bernie didn't stop them. Yay.

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 11:51 AM - Edit history (1)

Do you congratulate the management of every workplace where workers felt the need to organize, that didn't stop them?

“What this union pulled off will change the way presidential campaigns are run in this country,” said Bianca Márquez, a member of the campaign’s digital team. “Representing a talented and diverse group of campaign staffers at the bargaining table and in a contract was no easy task, but we came together in support of one common goal: achieving the best contract possible and setting a new standard for the industry.

BTW - when you google political campaigns sexual harassment complaints, you get a whole lot more results. Take a look:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS821US821&ei=pjjUXJf4OIjM_AaO-7O4Cw&q=political+campaigns+sexual+harassment+complaints&oq=political+campaigns+sexual+harassment+complaints&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0..52380...0.0..0.0.0.......0......gws-wiz.6jMbHLThTzA

Do go on.

[lapucelle]

38. Sexual violence is common on political campaigns? N/T

[lapucelle]

37. Did whistle blowers come forward from any other campaigns?

[ehrnst]

44. Why haven't they before this, do you think? Can you name those other campaigns where

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 11:04 AM - Edit history (4)

pay inequity and harassment was so pervasive, and unaddressed, that alumni felt a need to meet with the candidate to ensure it would not happen again?

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/30/bernie-sanders-campaign-harassment-1077014

And what does it say that the subsequent staff felt a need to be the first POTUS campaign staff in history to organize into a union?

[NYMinute]

31. This is a gross failure that is being spun

as some kind of a revolutionary (pun intended) accomplishment.

[brer cat]

58. +1 nt

[ehrnst]

76. +1000. Status quo, old school political spin. (nt)

[BlueWI]

113. Why don't you send this meme to the workers who won a union election??

That would show your solidarity and street cred with other Democrats, right?

Even better - call the steward and explain to them your thoughtful perspective.

Or, just keep up the anonymous snark.

[NYMinute]

114. Please don't misquote me

I am glad the workers formed a union and I am all for unions.

My objection is to using that fact as an accomplishment of Sanders when it is, in fact, a failure.

[BlueWI]

115. So it's a congratulatory post?

A post to further support bargaining rights?

Or just an attack against the employer of the union employees whose bargaining rights you support?

Ok, I think I get it!

[KitSileya]

32. Kudos goes to the workers who unionized - they are taking the risk.

While they may not face repercussions from their current boss, they'll only work for him for another year tops. Future potential bosses may have another opinion.

And maybe now they'll have better protection than a boss who is "too busy" to make sure there isn't rampant sexual harassment and gender discrimination at their workplace.

[Kentonio]

33. Any boss who would punish staff for unionizing is scum

And should be avoided at all costs.

[KitSileya]

34. Yes, but most likely they'll just be passed over in hiring.

Political operatives like campaign workers are basically freelancers, and may have to take jobs for people they ordinarily wouldn't, just to get a paycheck. Having unionized may make it more difficult for them to get another job after Senator Sanders' campaign is suspended, and that is why the kudos for taking the chance and organizing should go to them, not Senator Sanders. He isn't risking anything, and in his last national campaign he was such a bad boss that he made it even more necessary for his workers to unionize. He has admitted as much himself, when he said he didn't have control over the working conditions of his own employees, and even didn't know that his own campaign had egregious examples of gender discrimination when it comes to pay.

[Kentonio]

120. Why bother to try and disguise the fact that you just hate the guy?

If this hadn't happened then you'd be complaining that he doesn't care about his workers, and now he's leading the way on something that everyone should applaud he's bad for that too.

If a politician you liked had had those problems last campaign, you'd just say a candidate can't be expected to know exactly what conditions are like for every worker across the country during a national campaign, and probably applaud them for admitting there were problems and trying to address them, but because it's Bernie it just makes him a 'bad boss'.

It's no surprise that most Sanders supporters can't be bothered to spend time here anymore. It's just a relentless grind of negativity.

[ehrnst]

136. So why do you stay, if there is "too much hate" for Sanders? (nt)

[ehrnst]

45. This staff especially

might have real impetus to unionize.

[lapucelle]

35. Good for the workers on this campaign who now have the protections that were

lacking last time around. No one should have to work in a toxic predatory culture.

[NurseJackie]

53. I know, right? It's unclear why the BS campaign thinks this is a moment of pride...

... the simple fact that the employees felt so unhappy, dissatisfied and unsafe that they felt the NEED for a union in the first place... well, that's really NOT something that the BS campaign can point to as a big "selling point".

The BS campaign should be embarrassed and apologetic that it go so bad in the first place, and that THIS is the ultimate outcome of a bad situation that made the workers seek the relief that can be found in a union.

But, politics being what it is... I guess the "only choice" the BS campaign had was to pretend that it's a point of pride and something that "differentiates" them from the other campaigns.

Well, that last part is true anyway. It definitely differentiates the BS campaign from the others... but not in a good way.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

40. Congrats to the workers. Contented employees don't organize, so I hope this brings them the

power and protections they feel they need during the campaign.

[SidDithers]

54. Would we be praising Walmart if cashiers unionized?...nt

Sid

[aidbo]

61. Love that this is happening. Bernie would never hold a fundraiser at a union-busting lawyer's home.

[ehrnst]

63. His staff is the first POTUS campaign staff in history to feel a need to organize.

After what came out this year, I can imagine why they felt a need to.

Historic, indeed.

[aidbo]

68. A union is always important for communication between workers and bosses.

Whether the workers are happy or not.

You making it about ‘feeling a need to organize’ just shows how far unionization in the USA has fallen.

Strong unions make strong workers and strong bosses and facilitate communications of grievances and suggestions between the parties.

I would never want to support a candidate who counts union-busting lawyers among their supporters.

[ehrnst]

71. So you don't think that these campaign workers won't have adequate communication

with their Boss without collective bargaining? Do you think it's because former staffers stated that their grievances didn't get addressed, and that there was gender pay inequity?

Will you congratulate Amazon and WalMart as strong bosses if their workers organize, and they don't try to stop them?

I'm not sure that workers unionizing for the first time in history to work for a candidate is something that indicates that candidate inspires confidence in their staff for a great work experience.

[NurseJackie]

69. It's historic all right...

After what came out this year, I can imagine why they felt a need to.
Historic, indeed.

It's historic all right. But I think it's a mistake for the public to fall for the spin that "historic" equates to "positive". Many things are historic, but not necessarily something that can be pointed to with pride.

In this case, the "spin" and the self-congratulatory announcements from the BS campaign (and from the BS supporters) does seem a bit forced and stilted when examined under the harsh light of reality and the full knowledge of what came before and what necessitated this happening in the first place.

It's really NOT a "good thing" but the BS campaign is trying to ignore the obvious by pretending that it is.

I guess I can't blame them, it's politics after all... but I'm certainly not falling for it. I don't think enough of the voters will fall for it either.

[ehrnst]

73. It's status quo political campaign spin

Get out in front of it and say that the candidate was really the one that wanted it, so that makes it "unselfish."

I can't imagine that someone who is known for having a very hands on management style, Link to tweet
?lang=en" target="_blank">with some exceptions, was happy to hear this.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

106. Mic drop... whoomp there it is!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[ehrnst]

132. I certainly hope no candidate would support another candidate who is anti-choice. (nt)

[brooklynite]

62. Will the Union opposed encouraging volunteers? That'll take away potential paid positions...

The economics of a political campaign are different from businesses. Can't wait to see what happens if a conflict arises.

[MineralMan]

74. That's an excellent question. I've been a volunteer worker on

several campaigns during my life. And it wasn't just manning phone banks or canvassing, either. I've written speeches, campaign literature, and more. I donated my time because I supported that candidate. I often worked alongside paid staff people, and sometimes even led particular projects.

Most campaigns have a need for volunteers. They'll be happy to help you find something worthwhile to do. The best campaigns pay close attention to the skill sets volunteers bring with them.

[Hortensis]

79. Turn harassment charges into a permanent campaign staff union.

Sigh. I'm not saying it wasn't clever of the Sanders campaign, but we need to abolish the corrupt and corrupting full-time elections industry, not feed and institutionalize it further.

Huge money and corruption created it, and this industry is now a driver demanding non-stop election seasons to feed it. Ruthless, unprincipled agents are now able to, and do, make permanent careers out of behaviors that slam doors shut to employment in other industries. And they're proliferating like a cancer, many being rewarded with important positions in government and judiciary.

Oh, well. For now.

But real campaign finance reform that gets money out of politics, including someday repealing Citizens United and the rest, will someday mean campaigns are staffed by part-time workers and volunteers the way they used to be, and that's the way our democracy needs it to be.

[loyalsister]

81. Make unions mainstream again

Unions were once organized due to injustice. Then they became a standard practice for many businesses.
Then they were demonized and there was a movement to discourage and destroy them.
Now people no longer see them as an ordinary part of labor relationships. The idea that they exist only out of necessity is tragically common now.
Unions should be part of labor relationships even in the best of work environments.

[ehrnst]

98. Well, they haven't been common in campaigns - even those candidates who make sure

to use only union shops for their print materials, etc.

You don't think that these staffers might have felt the need for an alternate system for grievances, addressing pay inequity and reporting workplace harrasment after the reports came out from alumni?

[loyalsister]

109. I don't know details

I don't know what kind of work it took to organize. I do take issue with the instant assumption and stereotyping from outsiders about the motivations and climate.
Especially when it is consistent with the assumption that only bad places to work need unions, which contributed to the demise of unions as an integral part of working life.

[ehrnst]

111. You do know about reports from alumni staffers, don't you?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/us/politics/bernie-sanders-campaign-sexism.html

And that many requested a meeting with him December because they felt that their grievances were not addressed?

The assumptions about concerns that staff may have had, in view of those revelations, are not "sterotyping" about the climate. The revelations about the climate came from insiders.

You can also find more details ihe link in the OP, which does have a purpose of making this sound like it's a feather in Senator Sanders' cap, so keep that in mind.

[loyalsister]

116. I was not there

This happened. It was a good thing. That is the only position I have any business taking.

[ehrnst]

121. So you don't think the reports of the staffers who said there was a gender pay gap

Last edited Fri May 10, 2019, 08:34 AM - Edit history (2)

and a pervasive atmosphere of sexual harassment are valid, and you "have no business taking a position on that" because you weren't there to witness them yourself?

Is that "position" you say you have no business taking that the women were telling the truth? Or that the pervasive workplace problems that may have led to this unionization are not anyone's "business."

Could you clarify?

When you state simply "I was not there," that implies that you have no reason to take seriously the reports of those who were there. It's not taking a "position" on Sanders, to acknowledge that there were multiple reports of unaddressed grievances concerning gender pay equity and sexual harassment by more than one staffer.

You don't even have to have heard those women's stories to be informed about what happened.

In fact, it was made public that the Sanders campaign paid out a $30,000 settlement because of complaints about Iowa Caucus director Robert Becker creating a hostile work environment for women.

Sanders states "[link:Bernie Sanders apologizes, says he didn’t know about $30,000 settlement of 2016 campaign staffer accused of sexual harassment|he didn't know about the settlement]."

Then other staffers accused the staffers in Illinois and Iowa who came forward about Becker of trying to "kneecap" Sanders' campaign.

However, Becker was kept on after the Iowa caucus (the subject of harassment reports) in March, and was made the California campaign director in May.

The history of this workplace gives context to possible reasons why workers wanted more protections, and you have been made aware of it.

By still dismissing all speculation about the past experiences of women alumni being a catalyst for current staffers organizing as just being a "common mistaken assumption that any workplace that unionizes is a bad workplace," you are deliberately ignoring/denying the history of this particular workplace.

That would require that you refuse to believe the women who came forward about that workplace, wouldn't it?

I know that many of Sanders' supporters believe that to criticize or disagree with even a single thing he says or does is equivalent to "hating" him, "attacking him" or delcaring everything he says and does is wrong. This "all or nothing" dualistic POV doesn't help Sanders at all.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

101. Exactly!! This is a positive labor relationship and it's sad to see it being disparaged just because

Bernie's campaign is involved.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[NYMinute]

107. No. It is laughable because

1. Campaigns are temporary employment
2. Campaigns don't provide retirement/pension and in many cases health benefits
3. Campaigns do not involve dangerous or bodily strenuous work which needs regulated
4. Worker safety issues are non-existent in a campaign

The ONLY reason the "workers" in this context unionized is because they were mistreated in the prior campaign.

The fact that the workers unionized is shameful -- not a badge of honor to tout as some massive accomplishment.

Let me ask you, if say Apple computer's workers unionized, would you give the credit to Apple or question why they felt like unionizing?

[ehrnst]

110. Not at all. The idea that he deserves congratulations for not opposing the union is. (nt)

[KitSileya]

108. Perhaps this is an example of the resurgence of unionizing due to injustice.

After all, these workers organized due to grave injustices - sexual harassment and egregious gender discrimination in pay that weren't addressed by their boss until they spent a year trying to even get a face-to-face meeting. They had to go to the media before he agreed to talk to them. Of course, this is not the only work place where the boss "is too busy" to do anything about sexual harassment and discrimination, so hopefully this is the first of many instances of unionization. All kudos to the workers who did the hard work!

[ehrnst]

103. Having been in a Union in a progressive non-profit org, I can tell you

that it was not management, no matter how supportive of unions they were, that suggested it.

Spin this all you like, but this development is not something that reflects well on the candidate.

[Amimnoch]

122. Good! Hopefully women can work in a harassment free environment

This time around. Nobody should have to work in that kind of toxic environment.

[stonecutter357]

126. they NEEDED a Union.

[Sunlei]

127. I wish all campaigns offered their workers this level of pay($20 hour) & health insurance.

And capped the 'main management' pay level.

[Blue_Tires]

137. I'll just leave this here:

Link to tweet

[ehrnst]

138. Interesting revelation on a campaign staffer who negotiated the contract...

Top Sanders adviser embezzled union funds in 2008

Following the announcement, Charles Rocha, a senior adviser who helped orchestrate the agreement, announced on Twitter he was “proud to have been on the negotiating committee” that worked on the contract for Sanders’ campaign staff.

Rocha, who also worked for Sanders in 2016, was convicted six years ago for embezzling money from the United Steelworkers Union when he served as political director.

In 2013, Rocha was sentenced to two years probation and to pay a $2,000 fine for embezzling United Steelworkers Union funds. Before pleading guilty to the embezzlement charge and being sentenced, Rocha had already been ordered to pay $12,449 back to the union, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Rocha illegally used union money to buy $400 in Stanley Cup finals tickets. He also paid thousands of dollars for golf trips in South Carolina and Florida between the end of 2008 and midway through 2009, according to court documents.

And Jeff Weaver accuses the publication reporting on this of "systemic racism" because Rocha is hispanic.

“Sadly, like too many others in our society, the Vermont Digger wants to brand people like Chuck Rocha for life — an attitude that disproportionately impacts black and brown people and poor people,” Weaver said. “This is just another way systemic racism works. It’s disappointing that VTDigger is helping to uphold it.”

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=114178

I have to wonder why Weaver was sent out to spank the press on this, and not Sanders' current press lead. Any ideas?