Unions push for New Deal guarantees ahead of LA 2028 Olympics

Labor unions in Los Angeles have stepped up their push for what they are calling a New Deal ahead of the 2028 Olympics, demanding a broad package of commitments from the Olympic organizing body and its supporters. At a rally outside the city’s iconic Coliseum, union organizers framed the moment as a test of whether the Games will deliver lasting benefits for working people or simply accelerate housing pressure and wage pressures in a city already grappling with a severe housing and homelessness crisis. Their central demands include a $30-an-hour minimum wage for all workers, a $5 billion investment to fund housing construction, a ban on short-term rentals such as Airbnb, greater transparency in venue agreements, and protections for immigrant workers and visitors from potential federal actions during the Games.

Participants, including leaders from Unite Here Local 11 and allied groups, argued that hosting a slate of mega-events in the coming years—ranging from the FIFA World Cup to the Super Bowl and the Olympics—offers a prime opportunity to reshape the city’s economy for the better. They warned that without enforceable guarantees, the long-term gains could evaporate after the...