Title: Unionization Efforts Gain Momentum at Biden Campaign Headquarters: A Look into the Bargaining Process and Implications for Campaign Workers
The unionization movement among staff members at Joe Biden’s campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, has gained recognition from the Biden administration. This development marks the beginning of a bargaining process that aims to address crucial aspects such as wages, working hours, and work conditions for those pushing for President Biden’s reelection.
This unionization effort is affiliated with the Campaign Workers Guild (CWG), a non-partisan labor union founded in 2017. The CWG represents workers on political campaigns and committees. Negotiations between the union and the campaign are expected to commence soon.
The Biden Union-Campaign Workers Guild shared their excitement about this recognition, stating, “All workers deserve a union. We look forward to working collaboratively with management to build an equitable contract that is in line with the values this campaign fights for and raises the bar for campaign and political workers across the country.”
In recent years, Democratic campaigns and committees have encouraged staff to unionize in alignment with their pro-labor platforms. This move comes as President Biden prepares to face off against former President Donald Trump, who is also attempting to garner union support in the November elections.
Currently, over 175 individuals work at Biden campaign headquarters, and there are plans to expand the team in the upcoming months. The bargaining process will involve determining which staff members at the Delaware office would be eligible to join the union.
Negotiations are predicted to encompass topics like wages, working hours, and work conditions for staffers at the campaign’s primary office in Delaware. The specific terms that will be pursued in these talks have not been disclosed by union representatives.
Biden, known for his long-standing support of the labor movement and workers, has emphasized his commitment to unions in his reelection bid. He recently secured the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW), a significant labor force presence in blue wall states like Michigan and Wisconsin. UAW President Shawn Fain will attend the president’s State of the Union address on Thursday as a guest of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
Despite Biden’s backing from union leadership, it remains uncertain whether this support will translate into rank-and-file endorsements, as both candidates try to win over these influential voters. On Tuesday, President Biden is scheduled to attend a roundtable with rank-and-file members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, following Trump’s meeting with the group earlier this year. The Teamsters endorsed Biden in 2020 but are still weighing their endorsement for the 2024 race.
