DES MOINES - The College and Young Democrats of Iowa (CYDI) urge all campaigns to treat their field staff, fellows, and interns equitably. As campaigns ramp up their outreach, field staff positions are an integral part of their efforts. Yet, some 2020 campaigns are not paying all field staff positions.

As Democrats, we have dedicated our political organizing to securing the fundamental dignity of employees in the workplace. That vision must include campaign workers. Too often campaign workers, especially interns, are unpaid or underpaid, overworked, and receive no benefits.

CYDI recommends all campaigns only offer paid fellowships, paid internships and more accessible, transparent route into paid campaign work.

Fellows and interns put in the hard work to meet their metric goals, and the work they do every day in our communities mobilize support and drive voter turnout. They deserve to be paid for the hours they dedicate to campaigns, especially as we are in the middle of an unprecedented public health crisis that has put a financial strain on so many. 

The path to better working conditions for field staff must start by paying fair wages. As Democrats, we believe that this country prospers when everyone gets a fair shot - that includes all the staff that enable our candidates to succeed.