Kwame Patterson: 212-388-3676
312-371-2485
Lynsey Kryzwick: 212-388-3696
917-683-4474
City Hall, NYC— Citing his unwavering commitment to working families, 32BJ SEIU, the largest private-sector union in New York, today announced its endorsement of state Senator Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General. In its first endorsement announcement in the 2010 state elections, the union committed to a voter outreach campaign, including mailings, door-to-door canvassing outreach and member mobilization in support of Schneiderman’s election.
“From creating good jobs to fighting corruption, Senator Schneiderman has been a champion for working New Yorkers,” said Mike Fishman, 32BJ President. 32BJ represents more than 70,000 workers in New York. “32BJ will work tirelessly to help elect Eric Schneiderman as our next Attorney General.”
Schneidermanhas been on the front lines fighting for issues important to New York’s working families, including raising the state’s minimum wage, taking on mortgage fraud and the foreclosure crisis, protecting immigrants from deceptive business practices, reforming Wall Street and fighting insurance industry abuses. He is currently the prime sponsor of a senate bill that would ensure the state’s public utilities create good jobs for New Yorkers.
“I am deeply honored to have earned the endorsement of the hardworking men and women of 32BJ,” said Schneiderman. “As Attorney General, I will continue my lifelong commitment to working families and social justice, ending a system where there is one set of rules for the powerful and another for everyone else. I thank the members of this great union for their support, and I will continue to fight every single day to protect working families.”
With 70,000 members in New York, 32BJ is known for its strength in mobilizing members and voters to support endorsed candidates. During the 2008 state elections, the union spent more than $350,000 in ads and direct mail in key races. In addition, hundreds of members volunteered to speak with voters about the union’s endorsed candidates.
This endorsement is part of 32BJ’s “State that Works” program – a policy agenda focused on creating good jobs and an affordable state through economic development, contracting and tax abatement programs. 32BJ will be continuing its efforts to elect candidates supportive of the State that Works in the Fall elections.
With more than 120,000 members, including 70,000 in New York, 32BJ is the largest private sector union in the state.
updated 5/7/2010
