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City Hall, NYC— 32BJ SEIU, the largest private-sector union in New York, today announced its endorsement of state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for reelection. In making the endorsement, the union committed to a membership voter outreach campaign, including mailings, door-to-door canvassing and other member mobilization in support of DiNapoli’s election.
“From ensuring the state uses responsible contractors to helping create good family-sustaining jobs, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has been a champion on issues affecting working people,” said Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ, which represents more than 70,000 workers in New York. “32BJ will work tirelessly to help reelect DiNapoli as our next Comptroller.”
As state Comptroller, DiNapoli has been on the forefront of issues important to New York’s working families. In his oversight of state contracting, he has fought to maintain and improve standards that ensure the state is helping create jobs that let workers support their families without relying on costly public assistance programs. DiNapoli has also worked to bring transparency and accountability to the state’s economic development programs by conducting an annual review of Industrial Development Agencies. This report has helped bring to light projects that have received tax dollars without creating good jobs.
“I am deeply honored to have earned the endorsement of the hard working men and women of 32BJ,” said Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. “My candidacy stands for the middle class values of honest work for an honest living that is the foundation of New York State’s economy. It is emboldening to have the 120,000 people of 32BJ give me their support for this cause. As Comptroller, I have been the people’s voice in government. I have identified hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars in wasteful spending and cleaned up the office of Comptroller. With the support of 32BJ, I will continue to be the representative of hard working New Yorkers in Albany and together we will restore trust, ethics and accountability in government.”
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 7/30/2010
