Calif. lieutenant governor asks Taylor Swift to postpone LA shows
Taylor Swift performs at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on July 29, 2023. California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis joined other state politicians in penning an open letter to Swift, urging her to postpone her upcoming concerts in Los Angeles in solidarity with striking hotel workers. TAS Rights Management
California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis joined other state politicians in penning an open letter to Taylor Swift, urging her to postpone her upcoming concerts in Los Angeles to show solidarity with striking hotel workers.
"Hotel workers are fighting for their lives," the letter said. "They are fighting for a living wage. They have gone on strike. Now, they are asking for your support."
Swift, who just wrapped up a two-night stop in the Bay Area last week, is scheduled to hold six concerts at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the first of which is scheduled for Thursday. Kounalakis joined other prominent state officials, including Assemblymember Isaac Bryan — the majority leader in that chamber — as well as state Sens. Dave Min and Maria Elena Durazo in urging Swift to postpone her upcoming concerts.
Thousands of hotel workers in Los Angeles and Orange County walked off the job last month after union members, represented by Unite Here Local 11, voted to authorize a strike. The workers are asking for better pay, as well as a better pension plan and improved health care benefits. They're also asking their employers to hire more workers so that daily workloads become more manageable.
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Kounalakis and others argued that hotels are making more money than ever, but said that hasn't yet been reflected in how they compensate workers.
"Your shows make our region’s hotels a lot of money," the letter said. "In Los Angeles, hotels are doubling and tripling what they charge because you are coming. The hotels are making more money than ever, but many workers cannot afford to live close to where they work. Some of them even sleep in their cars between shifts. Others are at risk of losing their homes."
A representative for Swift did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Source: SFGATE
