Platner Campaign Staff Unionizes with IBEW Local 1837

Graham Platner, candidate for U.S. Senate, yesterday signed a collective bargaining agreement with IBEW Local 1837 at the union hall in Manchester, Maine. Negotiations between management and the union—which often take months—took just about three hours.

"It’s a struggle to have health care as well as a livable wage, especially when you’re working long hours to make sure that we’re electing great people," said Kelena Spencer, Deputy Field Director for the Platner for Senate campaign. "So, it’s amazing that we have this and we’re able to benefit from this together."

Earlier this year, Graham Platner voluntarily recognized the staff union. This week, the union ratified the collective bargaining agreement, which among other provisions guarantees livable, competitive wages and high-quality health insurance for the campaign team.

“I’m running for Senate to fight for working people,” said Graham Platner. “I would like to see higher union density across the country. I would like to see workers understanding how to organize and understand the importance of organizing, and what better way to do that than to model it? Thank you to IBEW Local 1837 and to the most talented campaign team in America who power this movement.”

Graham Platner also released a video with campaign staff and representatives from IBEW Local 1837 celebrating the signing of the contract.