Platner Campaign Staff Unionizes with IBEW Local 1837

The campaign staff of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner officially unionized with IBEW Local 1837 in mid-February by signing a collective bargaining agreement at the Local 1837 union hall in Manchester.

After voluntarily recognizing the staff union late last year, Platner and his campaign team moved quickly to the bargaining table. Negotiations between management and the union, which can sometimes take months or longer, were completed in just a few hours. The agreement was ratified by the staff and guarantees livable, competitive wages and high-quality health insurance for the campaign team.

“I’m running for Senate to fight for working people,” said Platner at the signing. “I would like to see higher union density across the country. I would like to see workers understanding how to organize and understand the importance of organizing, and what better way to do that than to model it? Thank you to IBEW Local 1837 and to the most talented campaign team in America who power this movement.”

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome the Platner campaign staff into IBEW Local 1837,” said IBEW Local 1837 Business Representative Kaitlyn Hegarty. “Voluntary recognition and a first contract reached in just a few hours demonstrate what’s possible when an employer genuinely respects workers and the collective bargaining process. This agreement guarantees strong wages and quality health coverage, and it sets a powerful example for campaigns and workplaces across Maine.”

IBEW Local 1837 Business Manager Tony Sapienza also praised the agreement.

“Thank you, Graham, for not only talking about supporting workers but actually doing it,” said Sapienza. “This agreement demonstrates that you understand what working people need and you support them with action.”

Platner also released a video on X featuring campaign staff and representatives from IBEW Local 1837 celebrating the signing of the contract.