All seven Democratic candidates who qualified for next week's presidential debate in Los Angeles are threatening to skip it over a labor dispute at the university hosting the event.
The candidates said Friday that they won't attend the Dec. 19 event due to a dispute between workers at Loyola Marymount University and food services company Sodexo.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenDemocratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry The Memo: Divided Democrats search for common ground Biden could lose Georgia Senate races all by himself MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersDemocratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by UAE - US records 1 million COVID-19 cases in a week; governors crack down Democrats look to sharpen message after Senate setback MORE (I-Vt.), the 2020 field's progressive heavyweights, were among the first to say they would boycott the event.
They were soon joined by former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenTucker Carlson assures viewers his show 'not going anywhere' following presidential election Trump senior advisers dissuaded president from military strike on Iran: report Senators clash on the floor over wearing masks: 'I don't need your instruction' MORE, Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Amy KlobucharDemocratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP senators say Biden deserves intel briefings l Biden speaks with Democratic leaders about COVID l Where the Georgia runoffs stand Senate majority battle snags Biden Cabinet hopefuls MORE (D-Minn.), South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Pete ButtigiegBiden's win is not a policy mandate — he should govern accordingly Pavlich: Hollow calls for unity Sunday shows - Biden win reverberates MORE (D), and businessmen Andrew Yang
Andrew YangAndrew Yang: Democrats need to adopt message that government is 'working for them' Andrew Yang moving to Georgia to help Democrats in Senate runoffs John Leguizamo: Trump was more 'aggressive' about courting Latino vote MORE and Tom Steyer
Tom SteyerLate donor surges push election spending projections to new heights New voters surge to the polls Trump leads Biden in Texas by 4 points: poll MORE.
"The [Democratic National Committee] should find a solution that lives up to our party's commitment to fight for working people," Warren tweeted.
.@UniteHere11 is fighting for better wages and benefits—and I stand with them. The DNC should find a solution that lives up to our party's commitment to fight for working people. I will not cross the union's picket line even if it means missing the debate.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) December 13, 2019
I stand with the workers of @UniteHere11 on campus at Loyola Marymount University fighting Sodexo for a better contract. I will not be crossing their picket line.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 13, 2019
I won't be crossing a picket line. We’ve got to stand together with @UniteHere11 for affordable health care and fair wages. A job is about more than just a paycheck. It's about dignity. https://t.co/nn4tb5q8wt
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 13, 2019
I take the debate stage to stand up for workers’ rights, not to undermine them.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 13, 2019
I stand in solidarity with the workers of @UNITEHERE11 at Loyola Marymount University and I will not cross their picket line.
The debate had been moved to Loyola Marymount University from the University of California, Los Angeles due to a separate labor dispute.
The union representing the workers, Unite Here Local 11, had said in a statement earlier Friday that "the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination will be greeted with picket lines at their replacement venue."
A Democratic National Committee (DNC) spokesperson told The Hill in a statement that it had learned of the issue Friday and was working to find a solution.
“While LMU is not a party to the negotiations between Sodexo and Unite Here Local 11, Tom Perez
Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE would absolutely not cross a picket line and would never expect our candidates to either,” spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told The New York Times, referring to the DNC's chairman.
“We are working with all stakeholders to find an acceptable resolution that meets their needs and is consistent with our values and will enable us to proceed as scheduled with next week’s debate,” she added.
