Presidential debate back on track as union reaches tentative agreement

[brooklynite]

Los Angeles Times

The Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles is back on track after a labor dispute ended Tuesday morning at Loyola Marymount University.

The televised debate, set for Thursday, had been in peril since last week, when Democratic presidential candidates announced they were boycotting because the union was planning to picket on debate night. The dispute was between Sodexo, a food-services contractor on the private university’s west-side campus, and Unite Here Local 11, which represents about 150 campus employees

Unite Here Local 11 said the food-services workers had reached a tentative agreement for a three-year contract with Sodexo for “a 25% increase in compensation, a 50% drop in health care costs, and increases workers’ job security.” Sodexo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The union credited Democratic National Committee chair and former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez for helping end the dispute.

[brooklynite]

1. Statement from the DNC Chair:

Statement from DNC Chair Tom Perez on the tentative agreement between Sodexo and UNITE HERE Local 11, allowing Thursday’s debate to proceed:

“Every worker deserves fair wages and benefits. That’s why I was proud to help bring all stakeholders to the table, including UNITE HERE Local 11, Sodexo, and Loyola Marymount University, to reach a deal that meets their needs and supports workers. I commend Sodexo and UNITE HERE for coming together in good faith to forge an agreement that is a win-win for everyone, and I appreciate the constructive engagement of LMU leadership which was indispensable to the resolution of this negotiation.

“As Democrats, we know the fight for fair wages is about more than just dollars; it’s about dignity. It’s not about sound bites; it’s about real solutions. That’s what we were able to achieve today – a real solution for hardworking Americans. We are the party that lifts up working families and defends the right to organize, and we’re excited to showcase that commitment at our debate on Thursday at Loyola Marymount University.”

[padah513]

2. I know they kinda had your plans up in the air brooklynite so it's good to hear

That they got it resolved