Democratic Debate to Go Forward After 2020 Candidates Help Push for Labor Deal for Union Workers at Loyola Marymount
Four days after the seven Democratic presidential primary candidates scheduled to appear on the Loyola Marymount University debate stage all announced their support for striking workers at the school, the employees’ union announced it had reached a tentative deal on a contract—allowing the debate to go forward.
About 150 workers at LMU, which is located in Los Angeles, are set to receive 25% pay raises, a 50% drop in healthcare costs, and more job security in the three-year tentative deal, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was the first candidate to announce on Friday that she would not cross the picket line if LMU workers, represented by Unite Here Local 11, went on strike Thursday. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) made a similar announcement shortly after, followed by the five other candidates who have qualified for the debate.
“I am thrilled that we were able to reach an agreement, and that the candidate debate can continue as scheduled,” said Angela Fisher, a prep cook at the university. “I want to thank the Democratic candidates who stood with us and the Democratic party that helped us win.”
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