Published: February 8, 2010

Three locals of the Service Employees International Union, representing 43,000 workers across Pennsylvania, today endorsed Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato in the Democratic primary for governor.

The boost comes just after Onorato fell short in balloting for the official party endorsement at the Democratic State Committee winter meeting in Lancaster Saturday.

The locals - SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, 32BJ and Workers United Pennsylvania Joint Board - represent workers in the health care, building services, laundry, food service and hospitality industries. The unions cited Onorato's support for working families, including prevailing-wage legislation covering county projects and his advocacy of broadening access to affordable health care, among other issues.

"Onorato knows what it takes to bring good jobs to the community and lift people out of poverty," said Gabe Morgan, 32BJ Western Pennsylvania Director.

SEIU is known for its field organizing in political races, and the locals promise a massive outreach program to help Onorato.