Campaign workers for Sen. Bernie Sanders ratified a union contract today, in an apparent first for a presidential campaign.
“We are proud of our workers and proud to uphold Bernie's commitment to collective bargaining rights and a strong labor movement,” Faiz Shakir, Sanders’ campaign manager, said in a statement.
“Together, we have achieved some of the strongest standards for campaign workers in history."Sanders‘ campaign workers voted to organize in March after Sanders sped up the process by declaring himself neutral on the matter.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, which represents the workers, said the contract will “dramatically improve their quality of life without hindering the Bernie 2020 campaign’s ability to compete for votes and delegates.“
According to the campaign, the contract includes "a pay equity review process for employees that protects their right to request a review without discrimination, discipline, or being discharged by management;" a "clearly defined wage scale with opportunity to earn performance raises;" "broad coverage for mental health care services;" and "an expedient, pro-worker grievance and arbitration process."
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine