Democratic politicians flock to union picket lines like moths to flame – even here in Orange County.
When a union calls a strike and pickets work sites, Democratic electeds in ritualistic fashion head for the picket line to hoist a placard and make sure they’re photographed bending the knee for their social media accounts. It’s vital they be seen by the activist base to be “standing with workers.”
We saw it during the episodic strikes by OCTA’s bargaining units. Now we’re seeing it as UNITE-HERE Local 11 calls a rolling strike at unionized hotels in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
On Monday, Local 11 started picketing in front of the Irvine Marriott, the Anaheim Hilton and the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim, banging on drums and chanting “Si, se puede.”
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken posted a group photo on her Instagram with picketers in front of the Sheraton Park Hotel:
OC Supervisor Vince Sarmiento also showed up talk to the picketers and pose for a group pic:
Attorney General Rob Bonta (and his staffer) looks bored with Local 11 Co-president Ada Briceno in front of the Sheraton Park Hotel but got in some steps in with strikers down the block in front of the Anaheim Hilton parking garage.
Irvine Mayor Farah Khan looking natty and professional on the picket line at the Irvine Marriott – which is now the target of a class action lawsuit thanks to a ridiculously anti-business work rules ordinance for which Khan voted just a few months ago:
Actually, considering Local 11 Co-president Ada Briceno is also chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County, the turnout of Orange County Democrat politicians to walk the UNITE-HERE picket line has been relatively anemic. By comparison, a lot more Democrat electeds joined the picket lines during the OCTA strikes.
