Raman gets key labor endorsement in mayor's race, although most unions are backing Bass
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Set us as preferred Organized labor is heavily favoring incumbent Karen Bass, but Los Angeles mayoral challenger Nithya Raman scored a key endorsement Tuesday from Unite Here Local 11, the powerful union representing hospitality workers in hotels and airports.Unite Here has emerged as a major player at City Hall, successfully pushing the Los Angeles City Council last year to pass a $30 hourly minimum wage for hotel and airport workers ahead of the 2028 Olympics, although the council later delayed implementation.In endorsing Raman, union President Kurt Petersen said the group believed in the City Council member’s commitment to fighting L.A.’s housing crisis, supporting the minimum wage hike and willingness to oppose short-term rental giant Airbnb — a key rival of Unite Here.
Bass has supported delaying the minimum wage hike and expanding the short-term rental market, saying more beds will be needed for the 2028 Summer Olympics.“Nithya has stood with us and our members through many fights,” Petersen said, noting that Raman was arrested as she protested with Unite Here workers in 2023 during their contract negotiations.
“We believe [she] is the right person to help us solve the city’s problems.”Petersen said Unite Here had the largest ground operation of any union in the state during primaries in June and knocked on more than 300,000 doors.“Our endorsement means a lot more than a press release,” he said.Raman still trails Bass significantly when it comes to the city’s major unions.Bass has more than 30 endorsements from unions across the region while Raman now has five, according to the candidates’ websites.
Labor groups backing Bass include local chapters of the Teamsters, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, L.A.County Federation of Labor and the Police Protective League.
The PPL, which represents Los Angeles police officers, has already spent more than $2.5 million again...