Sanders, Dems push company to let Senate workers unionize

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and dozens of Senate Democrats are stepping up their support for a group of Senate employees, pushing the company at the center of the fight to allow them to unionize.

“The time has come for the Compass Group to ensure Senate cafeteria workers have a model employer that addresses its workers’ legitimate concerns. We request therefore that the Compass Group commit to reaching an agreement with the union seeking to organize these workers,” Sanders and 33 Democrats — including Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)— wrote Friday in a letter to Compass Group CEO Richard Cousins.

{mosads}The letter is the latest move in a months-long battle between the company and Senate employees. Sanders rallied with dozens of striking Senate cafeteria workers last week. The employees want higher wages as well as the right to form a union.

The lawmakers added in the letter that the workers have spent the past year protesting “against low wages and poor working conditions.”

“These protests have attracted negative publicity not only to your company but also to the institution of the Senate,” they wrote.

As part of any agreement, the senators want the Compass Group to agree to abide by U.S. labor law, refrain from intimidating any worker who wants to unionize, and fire any manager accused of wrongdoing.

“The U.S. Senate should serve as a model employer, and the workers who support the work of the U.S. Senate must be given the respect and opportunities they deserve,” the senators added in Friday’s letter.