Philadelphia— 32BJ SEIU, the union representing nearly 10,000 Delaware Valley property service workers today announced their endorsement of City Council candidates Isaiah Thomas (At-Large), Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd), Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez (D-7th), Blondell Reynolds Brown (At-Large) and Curtis Jones Jr. (D-4th).
“Working families need stronger champions to deliver real improvements in public education and in the creation of good jobs,” said Gabe Morgan, 32BJ’s Pennsylvania Director. “Isaiah Thomas will bring new energy to help halt the rampant privatization of our schools and restore critical funding.”
“I’m truly honored and privileged to have the endorsement of 32BJ, who represents working class people in Philly,” said Johnson. “Workers of 32BJ come from Philly neighborhoods like mine. They are the economic backbone of the city. I’m honored to stand with them and fight for good jobs and good schools for Philadelphia.”
“I am deeply honored to receive 32BJ’s support in this crucial election,” Thomas said. “32BJ and I share a vision of fixing our schools and rebuilding a Philadelphia with good, family-supporting jobs that sustains a strong middle class. I look forward to working with them to advance this important agenda to secure our city’s future when I am elected to City Council.”
“Johnson has been at the forefront of the fight to raise standards for Philadelphia International Airport workers, many of whom live in his district,” added Morgan. “He led the charge to add Philly to the growing list of cities to raise their minimum wage to $15 per hour.”
Hundreds of 32BJ’s security officers, school workers and commercial office cleaners voted to endorse the candidates on Saturday.
Known for workers who are highly active in local elections, 32BJ will engage a large field program to support the endorsed candidates.
With 145,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., including 22,000 in Pennsylvania, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
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