Labor to Implement Intensive Grassroots Campaign for Governor’s Re-Election
Albany - The New York State AFL-CIO, representing 2.5 million union members, retirees and their families, and 3,000 local unions throughout the state, today announced its endorsement of Andrew Cuomo for Governor.
Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO said, “I am proud to announce the New York State AFL-CIO’s endorsement of Andrew Cuomo to serve another four years as our Governor. When it comes to fighting for organized labor and the middle class, Andrew Cuomo has set a standard for every elected official in this country. Working men and women have no greater champion for their cause.”
The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of unions, the largest state labor movement in the country, representing public sector, private sector and building trades unions. The organized labor movement in New York represents 24 percent of the workforce, twice the national average, and the highest in the United States.
The federation will build off the momentum of the successful defeat of the Constitutional Convention using that winning framework to implement an intensive grassroots campaign to ensure a victory for the governor.
The campaign will include educating and engaging members through the mail, at their worksites, across all social media platforms, and individual door to door conversations to discuss the importance of this election, particularly in consideration of the current turbulent political climate.
In making the endorsement announcement, Cilento pointed out how Governor Cuomo has supported labor organizing drives, contract campaigns and job actions across the state that have empowered working men and women.
“Actions speak louder than words. Leadership isn’t just saying you are going to do something. It’s about getting things done and having a real, tangible, positive effect on the people you represent. Governor Cuomo is a leader in the truest sense of the word,” Cilento added.
“Andrew Cuomo understands that having a strong labor movement is the best way to help the middle class grow in this state which is why, in a bold move, he took on one of the biggest threats against the labor movement this country has seen in decades. He was the first to get out in front of the U.S. Supreme Court case of Janus v. AFSCME ensuring that in New York state public sector workers will continue to have a strong voice in their workplace.
“He also set examples for the rest of the country when he passed a $15 minimum wage, ground breaking Paid Family Leave and Buy American legislation. He put workers ahead of billionaire developers by fixing the 421a program creating new wage standards on affordable housing projects in New York City. And he led the fight to raise Unemployment Insurance benefits for the first time in 15 years and passed Safe Patient Handling legislation to make it safe for all workers in hospitals, nursing homes and health care facilities throughout the state,” Cilento said.
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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, visit www.nysaflcio.org.