In the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral race, organized labor remains largely divided in its support, with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass maintaining backing from a majority of major unions, while challenger Nithya Raman has gained a significant endorsement from Unite Here Local 11, the influential union representing hospitality workers in hotels and airports.
Unite Here’s endorsement of Raman marks a notable shift in the race. The union played a critical role last year in pushing the Los Angeles City Council to pass a $30 hourly minimum wage for hotel and airport workers ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, although the council later delayed its implementation. Union President Kurt Petersen cited Raman’s consistent advocacy on issues important to their members, including her support for the minimum wage increase, opposition to short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, and her commitment to addressing the city’s housing crisis. Raman’s activism alongside union members during contract negotiations, which included her arrest at a 2023 protest, further solidified their support.
Despite Unite Here’s influence, Raman trails Bass in union endorsements overall. Bass has secured backing from more than 30 unions across the region, including the Teamsters, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the L.A. County Federation of Labor, and notably, the Police Protective League (PPL), which has invested over $2.5 million in efforts opposing Bass’s challengers. However, Raman recently attracted additional labor support from the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, which plans to contribute $3 million to an independent expenditure group backing her campaign.
The campaign over the $30 minimum wage has been a contentious issue involving unions, city officials, and business groups. While Unite Here framed the wage hike as necessary for workers to benefit from the economic opportunities surrounding the 2028 Olympics, business coalitions warned it would lead to layoffs and closures in the hospitality industry. This disagreement led to a series of competing ballot measures and ultimately an 18-month delay in the minimum wage increase. The delay was supported by Bass and initially opposed by Raman, who later voted in favor of it, citing fiscal concerns. Petersen criticized the compromise as yielding to business pressure, while business leaders framed it as a strategic win.
Beyond wage issues, Unite Here has also clashed with Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms. The union opposes expanding vacation rental markets, arguing it undermines hotel workers and the local housing supply. Bass initially proposed legalizing short-term vacation rentals but the idea was removed from the city budget, with both Raman and Unite Here opposing the proposal. Airbnb has supported Bass’s reelection campaign, contributing nearly $2 million to related advocacy groups.
Looking ahead, Petersen expressed hopes that, if elected, Raman would enforce existing wage theft and tax laws more strictly and maintain opposition to short-term rental expansion. As the election approaches, the division within labor groups underscores broader debates over economic policy and housing priorities in Los Angeles.