Catherwood LibraryILR School

As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, local labor unions are coordinating contract expirations to strengthen their bargaining position in the years leading up to the Games. Drawing lessons from previous Olympics, where workers secured wage increases and improved benefits through strikes and negotiations, unions argue that major international events increase workers’ leverage because operations depend heavily on their labor. Economists note that while the broader economic benefits of the Olympics are often temporary, the event can still serve as a strategic moment for workers to press for long-term gains. At the same time, business groups warn that higher labor costs tied to Olympic-related policies could strain the region’s already fragile tourism and hospitality sectors.