Friend—Happy Labor Day!

Last week labor unions across the US scored a gigantic victory. The National Labor Relations Board changed its rules to say that any labor law violations by a company whose workers have submitted enough cards to unionize would void the election and automatically grant union recognition.

I can’t overstate how important this change is for our burgeoning labor movement in the US.

Despite all the news about workers organizing at Starbucks, Trader Joes, Amazon, and more, union membership fell to an all-time low in 2022.

It is the right of workers to bargain, strike, and organize. In Congress I will do everything in my ability to enable and empower labor—repeal Taft-Hartley, outlaw right-to-work, and strengthen workers’ rights to strike and against retaliation.

Last Friday I went out to picket with the Unite Here Local 11 hotel workers on strike at the W Hotel in Hollywood. As a former hotel worker for over 10 years, I support fair wages and labor practices for all service workers.

I spoke with one hotel worker who was surprised to see not as many regular people supporting regular people, she said they’ve even been egged while striking.

Ordinary people like us need to stand in solidarity with workers fighting for a livable wage. We can’t get upset over minor inconveniences—it’s the corporations’ fault that they’re not paying their employees enough to continue their labor.

This campaign is picking up considerable steam as we head into the fall.

More and more people are joining our movement for equal rights and treatment for all, regardless of their class, religion, sexuality, or gender expression.

I always say, queer people and trans people are making this a better world for everybody. Our visibility is telling everyone, “it’s okay to be you as you are.” That’s my message as a figurehead for this movement, and my founding philosophy for this campaign.

It’s okay to be you. And your government should support and enable you to thrive as you are.

In solidarity,

Maebe