Nithya Raman, a challenger in the Los Angeles mayoral race, has secured a significant endorsement from Unite Here Local 11, a powerful union representing hospitality workers, despite incumbent Karen Bass attracting backing from a majority of major labor organizations.
Unite Here Local 11, a prominent force at City Hall, has been instrumental in advocating for workers' rights, notably pushing for a $30 hourly minimum wage for hotel and airport employees, a measure that faced subsequent implementation delays. The union cited Raman's commitment to addressing the city's housing crisis, her support for the minimum wage increase, and her willingness to oppose short-term rental companies like Airbnb as primary reasons for their endorsement.
Union President Kurt Petersen highlighted Raman's consistent support for the union and its members, recalling her arrest during a protest with Unite Here workers in 2023. He emphasized the union's substantial ground operation during the primaries and asserted that their endorsement carried significant weight beyond a simple announcement. Conversely, Bass has advocated for delaying the minimum wage hike and expanding the short-term rental market, citing the need for additional accommodations for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
While Bass has garnered endorsements from over 30 unions, including prominent groups like the Teamsters and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Raman's support base has recently expanded to include the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, which plans to contribute $3 million to an independent expenditure group supporting her campaign. Labor groups backing Bass, such as the Police Protective League, have already invested significantly in opposing her opponents.
The endorsement by Unite Here Local 11 comes after a period of intense negotiation and legislative maneuvering regarding the minimum wage increase. The union had previously qualified a measure requiring hotels to lease vacant rooms to homeless individuals, which was withdrawn after the City Council agreed to a more extensive approval process for new hotel projects. Unite Here has also been in direct opposition to Airbnb's efforts to expand short-term rentals, a stance shared by Raman, while Airbnb has actively supported Bass's re-election bid. Petersen indicated that Raman's unwavering support for the minimum wage and her opposition to vacation rental expansion were pivotal factors in the union's decision.
