California’s top politicians, led by Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, are standing in solidarity with striking hotel workers in an effort to pressure Taylor Swift to postpone her Los Angeles concerts. Swift’s upcoming six sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood have prompted concerns about the treatment of hotel workers in the area.
The campaign organized by Unite Here Local 11 highlights the disparity between the lavish profits made by hotels during Swift’s concerts and the financial struggles faced by many of their workers. While businesses rake in substantial profits by doubling and tripling prices due to the influx of concert-goers, hotel housekeepers and other workers in the region struggle to afford housing and are forced to sleep in their cars, risking losing their homes.
The open letter to Swift, signed by Kounalakis and dozens of other elected officials, emphasizes the workers’ fight for fair wages and better benefits. The strikes have been a significant disruption in the region, with politicians actively joining the demonstrations in support of the hotel workers’ cause.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom had previously expressed solidarity with the striking workers, vowing not to cross picket lines at the Beverly Hilton and other affected hotels. As the strikes continued, the union escalated their efforts by seeking support from elected officials, with Kounalakis being the top official in the state to sign onto the letter.
The union’s request to postpone Swift’s concerts is part of a broader labor movement, with writers, actors, and other workers joining hotel employees in their protests. As Swift’s concerts are set to begin soon, the situation has become a focal point for raising awareness about the struggles faced by workers in the entertainment and hospitality industries.
It remains to be seen how Taylor Swift and her team will respond to this growing pressure from California’s politicians and the union. Swift’s decision may risk backlash from her devoted fanbase, known as Swifties, but could also demonstrate her commitment to workers’ rights and dignity in the face of the ongoing labor disputes in the region.
It’s such an insulting publicity stunt for Unite Here to even recommend this, knowing full well there is no way in hell she can reschedule a full week of shows. Have they even done the math and figured out what percent of people at the shows are staying at hotels, what percent are local, what percent are at Airbnbs? No. They’re just using her to make her the villain instead of the corporations who put them in this position. To be honest it’s such a ludicrous tactic it makes me want to cross their picket line on purpose out of… Read more »
I want to protest because I don’t make a salary equal to Taylor Swift.
It’s being reported that Eleni Kounalakis already saw Taylor Swift at the Santa Clara venue last week. Truly unbelievable hypocrisy and her FU to all the fans who are paying to see her this week.
Residents of West Hollywood pay 20% more for everything because of Unite Here.
We have the highest minimum wage in the country due to the evil actions of the stooges at city hall bowing to the pressure of Unite Here.
In any case, it’s clear that it’s time to stop the custom of tipping hotel staff. We are already being gouged by the high prices caused by the unrealistic wages.
I think her fan base will be fine with her going on with the concert. As am I who can’t even name one of her songs.
Isn’t one of her songs called “I make $3 million a day, I’ll take up the cause of the highest paid maids in the world”?
Here goes the extreme left making sure they destroy absolutely everything.
The Mafia says what?
Someone should picket Unite Here. They have too much power …and it has gone to their head.
Taylor isn’t cancelling her shows. So this shows they really don’t have that much power
In the news today are articles that Taylor Swift has paid her tour workers bonuses of $55 million. In other words, she treats her workers well. Why would some thug union go after her of all people. Taylor Swift has nothing to do with unskilled labor who know how to make a bed, and can wipe down a bathroom counter. I predict in the end these maids are going to lose their jobs, and be replaced by more appreciative non-complaining workers, who will get paid the fair wage. Then the fired maids will be begging for minimum wage jobs at… Read more »
Taylor Swift should give Unite Here the BIG FINGER.
Placing these ridiculous and performative demands on artists (and corporations) is yet another example of the divisiveness practiced by toxic ideologues. While it’s no surprise to see WeHo’s three Unite Here stooges on the list, the act by Kounalakis is pure political performance, and I hope it backfires on her spectacularly. Laura Friedman just lost my vote for Congress. I’m not even going to the concert, but I’m incensed for those who are, for the abuse by this outlier union, and for the completely unfair and manipulative spot this places on an otherwise supportive artist.
Performative is a great word for it. So disappointed to see Weho City Council members kissing up to Unite 11 with this virtue signaling nonsense. They all know full well she wasn’t going to cancel. Such bad faith politicking.
Unite Here has convinced striking hotel maids that they should make more money than most school teachers and book editors. I won’t be bullied into supporting their misguided efforts.
Hope Taylor Swifts holds strong!
Taylor Swift is under a host of contractual obligations that will compel the concerts to go forward. The call for her to postpone her dates is simply a clever way for Unite Her to latch on to the huge wave of publicity attached to these concerts. At zero cost to the union, their leadership has been able to capture a score of headlines by their appeal to Swift.
This is not true at all. All school teachers would still make considerably more money than hotel maids in LA.
You are incorrect again, the base salary for a teacher in LA is 41-43k. You continue to call things fake like a Trumper.
People call things fake on both sides of the aisle, Larry. That was uncalled for.
How much does an Entry Level Teacher make in Los Angeles, CA? The average Entry Level Teacher salary in Los Angeles, CA is $48,242 as of July 25, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $40,282 and $58,836. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
We do not post links anymore. This is the text from a simple google search.
Salary.com is not a source for accurate salaries. Anyone can submit info to that website.
I linked an article from the LA Times which is from April 2023 that says the starting salary for LAUSD teachers is 69k. They quoted the actual UNION, not “salary.com”
The average salary is 106k.
Did you miss the teachers union strike earlier this year, Larry?
How can you claim a “google search” is more accurate than a very recent contract negotiation from the LA Teacher’s strike this year?
Educate yourself before you post.
I posted replies with sources to back up my statement (Larry didn’t approve them because he is ashamed of being completely wrong). I did educate myself lol.
Go look up LAUSD starting salaries for yourself! 🙂
told you no longer posting links, that have viruses, but you distort everything.