UNITE HERE Local 23 endorses former public defender and State Senator JP Morrell for New Orleans City Council At-Large

UNITE HERE Local 23 announced its endorsement of JP Morrell for City Council At-Large Division 2.

“JP Morrell has fought for us against those that just want to make money off us,” said Local 23 President Marlene Patrick-Cooper. “In Baton Rouge, he led the fight to raise the minimum wage, and he pushed for New Orleans to get its fair share of tourism tax dollars.  We need New Orleans to come back from this pandemic stronger than ever, and there’s no one better positioned than JP to make this happen.  We need people like JP in New Orleans City Hall.”

"JP took on Jim Crow and ended split juries in Louisiana. He understands what regular working folks are going through, and he delivers when people like us need it most,” said Dora Whitfield, who has worked at Harrah’s New Orleans for 20 years.  

"I'm honored to be endorsed by UNITE HERE Local 23," said JP Morrell. "Its members represent the backbone of our economy, and I've been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as we fought for workers rights and better wages. I'll continue the fight as your next City Councilmember At-Large!"

The City of New Orleans will hold a primary election for Mayor and City Council on October 9, 2021.

UNITE HERE Local 23 represents 20,000 hospitality workers throughout the South, including over 2000 in New Orleans, including workers at Harrah’s, Hilton, Loews, the Convention Center, and the airport.   We are leading what In These Times called “one of the most noteworthy projects to build union power in the South: Unite Here’s ongoing work to unionize the famous New Orleans hospitality industry.”  (May 26, 2021:  “The Dream of a Unionized New Orleans Is Coming True).

JP has been a relentless advocate for policies that place people first. He started serving our community as a public defender and later was elected to the State Legislature. While serving, JP championed progressive policies, such as the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and to end the “Pink Tax.” As Chair of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, he led negotiations to finally stabilize the state's budget, securing desperately needed investment in our colleges, universities, and hospitals. JP never backed down from impossible fights when he knew what was best for the people of our city.