Los Angeles labor unions are preparing for potential conflict as the city prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. Inspired by recent labor actions surrounding the Paris Games, unions representing tens of thousands of Southern California workers are positioning themselves for contract negotiations and potential strikes.
Labor Strategies Mirroring Paris
During the Paris Games, hotel workers staged a strike the day before the opening ceremonies, demanding better wages and benefits. The French workers directly targeted members of the International Olympic Committee, threatening disruption if their demands weren’t met. These actions resulted in gains for workers, including higher salaries and improved retirement plans.
Coordinated Contract Expiration Dates
Unite Here Local 11 co-President Kurt Petersen stated that his union has strategically aligned over 100 contracts, covering approximately 25,000 workers in sectors like hotels, airports, sports arenas, and convention centers, to expire in January 2028. This timing, just months before the Olympic opening ceremony, is intended to maximize bargaining power.
Other unions are following suit. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, representing workers in healthcare, grocery, and packing, and the Service Employees International Union Local 721, representing over 100,000 county employees, also plan to leverage contracts expiring in the first half of 2028.
Demands Beyond Wages
A coalition of labor groups, community organizations, and religious institutions is advocating for broader changes alongside the Games. They are calling on the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee – known as LA28 – and the city to fund the construction of 50,000 housing units, implement a moratorium on short-term rentals like Airbnb, and provide protections for immigrant workers.
Potential for Disruption
Petersen emphasized the essential role of workers, stating, “We are going to have a force … of working people to do whatever it takes, including striking if we have to during the Olympics in 2028. The Olympics can’t happen without the workers.”
Jules Boykoff, a professor at Pacific University, described the Games as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for organized labor. He noted that these events highlight the contributions of often-overlooked essential workers, citing successful negotiations for transportation workers and garbage collectors prior to the Paris Games.
However, Robert Baumann, a professor at College of the Holy Cross, cautioned that economic benefits associated with the Olympics are often short-lived.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the labor unions?
The primary goal of the labor unions is to secure better contracts for their members, potentially including higher wages, improved benefits, and protections for workers, timed to coincide with the economic leverage of the 2028 Olympics.
Which unions are involved in these preparations?
Unite Here Local 11, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, and Service Employees International Union Local 721 are among the unions planning to leverage contract expirations in 2028.
What other demands are being made alongside labor negotiations?
A coalition of groups is also advocating for the construction of 50,000 housing units, a moratorium on short-term rentals, and protections for immigrant workers.
As Los Angeles moves closer to 2028, it remains to be seen whether these labor negotiations will lead to agreements or disruptions. A possible next step is increased dialogue between LA28, the city, and union representatives. It is also likely that unions will begin mobilizing their members and building public support for their demands. Will the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics be defined by athletic achievement or labor unrest?
