Published: August 9, 2010

In the race to replace embattled Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr., two of the city and state’s most powerful unions--1199 SEIU and 32BJ--weighed in on the side of one of the senator’s primary opponents, Gustavo Rivera, today.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this joint endorsement. 1199 and 32BJ are at the forefront of the fight for better opportunities for working families. As a State Senator, I promise to work for quality healthcare, good-paying jobs, rights for tenants, and true reform in Albany," Rivera is quoted as saying in the press release. "As a union member myself, I have dedicated my career to helping the nurses, caregivers, building service workers and janitors receive living wage jobs, quality healthcare and the right to unionize.

“For nearly a decade, I have worked closely with 1199 and 32BJ to forge a more progressive, union friendly majority in the New York State Senate and I have stood with these hardworking men and women fighting for change across the country,” Rivera continued.

SEIU’s relationship with Rivera extends back as least as far as 2008, according to the release, when Rivera managed field operations for the union on behalf of then-Sen. Barack Obama. The unions are promising an extensive get-out-the-vote campaign next month on behalf of Rivera, invoking their prominence in getting politicians such as City Comptroller John Liu and Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio elected to office.

"This district deserves honest leadership, and we believe Gustavo Rivera will be a true voice for reform rather than an obstacle for change,” George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said in a statement.

[Updated] Dan Padernacht, a local lawyer who is running against Rivera and Espada in the primary, said that the endorsement came as no surprise to him—1199 had made their intentions known a month ago he said. Padernacht, whose grandfather was a member of 32BJ, said the situation was politics as usual but had a message for the unions’ members.

“Even though the unions are supporting Gustavo, please let them know that if I'm elected senator I will be looking at their interests as well," Padernacht said.

Calls to Espada were not returned.