Labor endorses Anthony Brindisi for Congress

Albany, NY – The New York State AFL-CIO, representing 2.5 million union members, retirees and their families today endorsed Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi for Congress. Brindisi is challenging U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney in the 22nd Congressional District.

“We need someone in Washington who will protect our health care, create more jobs, fight for fair wages and make workplace safety a priority, which his opponent has failed to do,” said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO.

“Anthony Brindisi has a proven track record of advocating for working people. As an Assemblyman, he supported Buy American legislation, raising the minimum wage, paid family leave and increasing unemployment insurance benefits. We don’t have to hope he shares our values, he has already demonstrated through deed and action that he does. And now he will take that record of accomplishment to Washington to fight for the middle class,” said Cilento.

Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi said, “I am truly honored to receive the endorsement of the New York State AFL-CIO. I share the organization’s commitment to making lives better for working families, improving our schools and infrastructure, and helping people acquire the skills they need for today’s high tech jobs. I will continue to fight for fair tax policies and protections in the workplace—much as the New York State AFL-CIO has done for many years. I look forward to working together with them as my campaign for Congress continues.”

Pat Costello, president of the Central New York Labor Council said, “Anthony Brindisi has demonstrated a genuine understanding of the concerns and problems facing working families in our area. He has been a staunch supporter of collective bargaining, worker’s rights, the utilization of project labor agreements, school funding, work site safety, women’s rights, safe staffing levels for our health care workers and so much more. He has established a work ethic that crosses party lines and leads to positive results for working families. We are sure that his ability to accomplish meaningful legislation, that protects the middle class and gives hope to the working poor, will continue in Congress.”

Mike Dundon, Broome-Tioga Central Labor Council President said, “Anthony Brindisi is exactly the kind of politician the Southern Tier needs, an advocate for working families. As an Assemblyman, he has led and been victorious in his fights to increase educational funding to lower income school districts in the state, bolster apprenticeship programs, increase unemployment benefits, and has earned a reputation as being a voice for seniors, veterans, nurses, teachers, public school funding and worker’s rights. Anthony is truly a friend of the middle class, working families across the 22nd Congressional District, and it is honor to endorse and support him.”

“We represent more than 110,000 union members in the 22nd Congressional District. We are educating and mobilizing them to ensure they get to the polls to elect Anthony Brindisi to Congress in November,” Cilento added.

The announcement was made in Utica.

The 22nd Congressional District covers all of Madison, Oneida, Cortland and Chenango counties and a portion of Oswego, Broome, Herkimer and Tioga counties.