Governor Cuomo and National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to Kickoff March and Headline Rally in support of IBEW Local 3 Members on Strike Against Charter Communications/Spectrum

Manhattan, NY- Tomorrow, one of the nation's top labor champions, Governor Cuomo, and national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will join thousands of union members in support of IBEW Local 3 against Charter Communications/Spectrum in their fight for a fair contract. More than 1800 members of IBEW Local 3 are entering their sixth month of a strike against corporate greed. Our IBEW brothers and sisters have had the full support of the 2.5 million members of the New York State AFL-CIO throughout their fight. On Monday, September 18, 2017, thousands of union members from the public sector, private sector and building trades will stand shoulder to shoulder and march across the Brooklyn Bridge in a show of solidarity. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will kick off the march. Together they will send a clear message to Charter/Spectrum that working people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Governor Cuomo said: “Reliable, quality healthcare and the ability to retire with dignity are key cornerstones of the middle class, and that cannot be compromised. Whether it's ultra-conservatives in Washington or a corporation doing business here in New York, we will not stand by while access to health care is stripped away from hundreds of working families. In New York, we not only believe that all workers have a right to quality and affordable health care, we stand up and fight to ensure it. These hard working men and women are the reason why our information superhighway and tech sector are thriving here in the State of New York and they deserve our support. "We just celebrated Labor Day here in New York City, but we can't say we support labor if we show up for the parade and not the critical fights where our shared progress is on the line. This is about protecting and expanding progress for workers and their families, and there is no more important fight then ensuring they don't have to pay MORE for LESS health care. Corporate giants like Charter/Spectrum need to hear the message loud and clear: in New York, we fight for the middle class and stand with labor, and we will not go back." “This fight is not only a fight for our brothers and sisters of IBEW Local 3, this is a fight for all hard-working people,” said Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO. “It's a fight for good middle-class jobs in our communities. It's a fight to ensure these workers are able to provide a decent life for themselves and their families. We will march on behalf of these working men and women and all working people who refuse to allow corporate giants like Charter/Spectrum to put profits ahead of fairness. The entire labor movement will stand side by side with our striking brothers and sisters not only on Monday, but for as long as it takes for them to secure a fair contract. I want to thank Governor Cuomo and AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka for helping to lead in this fight for basic fairness and dignity.” “We made the difficult decision to strike nearly six months ago,” said Chris Erikson, IBEW Local 3 Business Manager. “And tomorrow we will take this strike to a new level as working men and women from all walks of life come together in unity to stand up against not only Charter/Spectrum but all powerful corporations that seek to destroy unions, to destroy the ability of working people to have a voice in the workplace. Our message will be heard loud and clear; we will not back down to the bullying tactics of this company. We will stand together and fight for all working men and women.” What: March and rally for members of IBEW Local 3, on strike against Charter Communications/Spectrum Where: Cadman Plaza Park (near the Brooklyn Bridge walkway entrance) When: 3pm, Monday, September 18, 2017 Demonstrators will march across the bridge to meet more supporters on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge as we proceed to rally at Foley Square at approximately 4 pm. ### The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. Our State Federation, which is the largest and most diverse in the country, is committed to helping working families achieve a better life. For more information on the Labor Movement in New York, visitwww.nysaflcio.org.