UNITE HERE Canvassing Program Hits One Million Doors Knocked in Critical 2024 Election Push
Country’s largest labor-led canvassing program is larger than ever in 2024, with 1,800 canvassers aiming to knock over 3.5 million doors across key battleground states
NEW YORK—As of this week, canvassers with UNITE HERE, the hospitality workers’ union, have surpassed one million doors knocked in key battleground states. This marks a critical milestone in the union’s efforts to deliver victory this election by knocking 3.5 million doors for Harris/Walz and other pro-worker candidates.
UNITE HERE’s canvassing program is the largest labor-led effort in the country, with 1,800 union members and volunteers knocking doors in ten states including Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Ohio, and North Carolina.
“UNITE HERE’s canvassing program has a track record of success, and this year our program is larger than ever: we have already surpassed one million doors knocked,” said UNITE HERE President Gwen Mills. “In a tight race like this one, the deciding factor is face-to-face conversations with voters, and there is no one better on the doors than our canvassers. They draw on the same skills they use when talking with their coworkers to listen to voters and have real conversations about why their vote matters. Our union’s commitment to our canvassing program underscores what’s at stake for working people: will we continue moving forward with an administration that is in our corner, or will we go backwards? We’re well on our way to doing our part to win this election by meeting our goal of knocking 3.5 million doors by Election Day.”
“UNITE HERE members aren’t just knocking on doors, they’re making sure working people have a voice in this election. Our members see themselves in Kamala Harris, a Black woman, daughter of immigrants, and longtime friend of our union,” said Nia Winston, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE. “They don’t see themselves in Donald Trump, a rich hotel and casino owner with a record of labor abuses. We’ve seen the blueprint for a second Trump administration and it includes crushing unions and threatening our rights as workers, women, immigrants, people of color, voters, and more. The choice between Harris and Trump is clear, and our members are having the conversations with voters that will make the real difference in 2024.”
UNITE HERE played a pivotal role in delivering the election for President Biden in 2020 and fending off a “Red Wave” in 2022. This year, the canvassing operation is larger and the stakes are even higher, with workers’ rights, fair wages, and opportunity to build on the pro-union legacy of the Biden administration on the line. Among the canvassers leading the effort on the ground are:
Adriana Rojas, Banquet Server at Phoenix Convention Center and concessions worker at State Farm Stadium; member of UNITE HERE Local 11 Arizona
“As a union member, I know electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to the White House is the only way to go. They are the only candidates that will ensure that unions are strong, workers’ rights are protected, and our future is brighter. That’s why I am knocking doors in 100+ degree weather, talking to hundreds of voters, and sharing my enthusiasm to get them out to vote.”
Rebecca Beah, Utility Worker at LSG Sky Chefs and member of UNITE HERE Local 274 in Pennsylvania
“We need a President who understands the struggles of the working class, and I have been out talking to my fellow Pennsylvanians every day since July 9. We talk about how hard it is to get by. We talk about the need for more good union jobs, funding our schools and programs that keep our kids safe, and quality healthcare for us all. We need to make sure that every single voter who understands the importance of these issues votes on Election Day.”
Spencer Lindsay, EVS Porter at Circus Circus Las Vegas and member of Culinary Union UNITE HERE Local 226 in Las Vegas
“I’m a second generation Culinary Union member, and now I’m doing my part. I took a leave of absence from my job to talk to other men, especially men of color, about voting to protect our communities and loved ones. I believe Kamala Harris can create positive change for America, especially for the LBGTQ community and on the issue of women’s rights. I know she will continue to fight to bring down the price of prescription medications that our families need. It’s up to us to protect our country by voting in leaders in the White House who will fight for us, and those people are Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”
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UNITE HERE is the hospitality workers’ union in the U.S. and Canada, representing nearly 275,000 workers in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport industries. The multistate canvass is paid for and reported by Workers Vote, a federal independent expenditure PAC.