A crowd of local union members and organizers formed in front of the classical-style arches of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum early Thursday morning, holding a banner with the colorful, iconic Olympic rings and \u201cFair Games\u201d printed across them. <\/p>\n
With the city of Los Angeles set to become a mega sporting events capital of the world \u2014 scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Olympic and Paralympic Games all in the next few years \u2014 labor groups pushed for what they are calling a \u201cNew Deal\u201d to get the city and the LA28 Olympics organizing committee to make commitments to improve the lot of working people. <\/p>\n
The unions are calling for multibillion-dollar investments to build 50,000 units of housing, a prohibition on Airbnb and other short-term rentals, more transparency in venue agreements and protections for immigrant workers \u2014 as well as foreign visitors and fans \u2014 from federal raids.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s fight for our future, let\u2019s fight for our democracy. Because together we can hold LA28 and the [International Olympic Committee] accountable,\u201d said Victor Sanchez, executive director of advocacy group Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, at the Thursday rally.<\/p>\n
Union officials noted that world sporting events have often failed to produce lasting benefits for host cities, causing price increases that displace low-income residents and leaving communities indebted.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the Games are over, what\u2019s left for L.A.? \u201c said Armando Elenes, secretary-treasurer of United Farm Workers, in an interview.<\/p>\n
Olympic organizers and corporate partners rejected the idea that local residents would be left out of the economic benefits of hosting the Games.<\/p>\n
Jacie Prieto Lopez, a spokesperson for LA28, said in a statement that the Olympic and Paralympic Games \u201cwill mean good-paying jobs and real opportunities for working people in Los Angeles, including benefits that reach the neighborhoods and families who keep this city running.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, we look forward to our partnerships with local unions and remain confident the Games will bring positive economic impact to the region and leave behind a stronger future for working people,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n
The region\u2019s intractable housing and homelessness crisis is at the core of the union push.<\/p>\n