Coming after news that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign staff has unionized,
Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro’s campaign staff has unionized, it announced Thursday.
Castro, 44, has said in the past that he would support efforts for his campaign to unionize. In a press release, campaign manager Maya Rupert praised the move and emphasized the former HUD secretary and San Antonio mayor’s support of the move.
“Unions are essential protections for workers, including campaign workers, and the teams of people who work to elect out leaders should do so with the protections of union organizing,” Rupert said.
Castro’s campaign has also pledged to pay staff, including interns, at least $15 per hour for their work.
Sanders’ campaign approved a collective bargaining agreement last week that includes a $20 hourly wage for all interns working at the campaign’s national headquarters, 20 paid vacation days, and health benefits, among others.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said his campaign staff has unionized, and former Vice President Joe Biden has indicated support for the concept if his staff decide to follow suit.
Still, the compatibility of organized labor with grueling campaign work remains an open question. Campaigns are notorious for late nights and unpredictable hours, raising questions about the viability of the concept.
But the unionization move in the short term offers a fresh round of publicity for Castro, who served as secretary of HUD from 2014 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. The most recent RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Castro at 0.8% support among voters. Biden leads the field of more than 20 candidates with 41.4%, followed by Sanders, who is bringing 14.6% support.
