A Shocking Turn of Events

On October 30, a group of canvassers for Elon Musk's America PAC found themselves unexpectedly terminated and stranded in Michigan after raising concerns over their mistreatment. The incident escalated quickly following a report that discussed the troubling conditions faced by these workers.

Firing Amid Confusion

Reports indicated that after experiencing technical difficulties with Campaign Sidekick, the app used for canvassing, canvassers were shocked to receive a message in their GroupMe chat stating, "Everyone is fired." This came from their manager, Jones, who did not respond to requests for further comment. Many canvassers initially thought it was a joke, but when they were locked out of the app, reality set in.

Muldrow, one of the canvassers, shared her concern with her mother, who initially dismissed the seriousness of the situation. As tensions rose within the team, Jones began questioning the canvassers about who had revealed their experiences to the press, leading Muldrow to feel unsafe in her environment.

Seeking Help

Feeling trapped and anxious, Muldrow reached out for assistance from Connor Berdy, a local political consultant. Their meeting occurred coincidentally during her canvassing efforts just days prior, where Berdy's employee had introduced him to her. After Muldrow outlined the treatment she and her colleagues endured—being deceived and threatened—Berdy took immediate action. He arrived at the scene under the guise of an Uber driver, a strategy to help Muldrow escape the distressing situation.

A Solidarity Movement

Recognizing the precarious circumstances the canvassers were placed in, Berdy not only assisted Muldrow's departure but also arranged for her flight back to Florida, covering the expenses himself. He criticized the management for failing to safeguard their workers and emphasized the lack of regard for the integrity of their canvassing operation.

This incident raises significant concerns about the working conditions of canvassers and the need for organizations to protect their staff, particularly when individuals are put in vulnerable positions. Clearly, incidents like this call for a reconsideration of how campaign workers are treated and a stronger advocacy for their rights.

This article is based on a report from Wired.