February 23, 2024
FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND’S OFFICE: Today, a slew of New York State’s most influential unions endorsed U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for reelection. Together, the unions represent more than one million workers and their families.
The unions include: DC37, Hotel Trades Council, 32BJ SEIU, Uniformed Firefighters Association, NYSNA, Workers United, CWA District 1, Transportation Workers Union, RWDSU, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, IBEW Local 3, Accountants, Statisticians, and Actuaries Local 1407, and President John Durso of the Long Island Federation of Labor, President Tom Carey of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body, and President Dan Maloney of the Rochester Labor Council.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of New York’s powerful unions, who work tirelessly on behalf of working families, and relentlessly pursue fair wages, strong benefits and safe working conditions,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “Throughout my career, I have consistently fought for our workers, from joining the picket lines this past year with striking writers and actors to partnering with union leadership on important pro-labor legislative priorities. I am proud to be pro-union and pro-worker and I pledge to fight relentlessly for the million plus workers who are the backbone of our great state and country.”
Throughout her career in the Senate, Gillibrand has been an unwavering champion for unions and working families. She has helped deliver billions for massive infrastructure projects like the Hudson Tunnel Project, Kensington Expressway Project, and others, and has secured nearly half a billion in federal funding for local projects. Gillibrand is a strong supporter of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, bicameral legislation to strengthen workers’ rights to organize and bargain for better wages and benefits, and wrote the FABRIC Act, landmark legislation that would make historic investments in domestic garment manufacturing. Gillibrand is a relentless fighter for a higher minimum wage and she has delivered major victories for first responders, most notably by establishing the World Trade Center Health Program to provide first responders, survivors and their families with health care benefits in order to treat 9/11-related health conditions.
Gillibrand currently has a massive $9.2 million campaign war chest, bolstering her position as a historic vote getter. In 2012, she set the record for the largest winning margin in New York senatorial election history, winning 72% of the vote, outperforming even President Barack Obama. In 2018, she once again decisively won reelection, earning 67% and outperforming the governor’s race.
“RWDSU is proud to endorse Sen. Gillibrand, who has been a tireless fighter for working families throughout her entire career,” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. “From working to create America’s first national paid family and medical leave program, to passing historic workplace reforms to her relentless advocacy for expanding labor protections and strengthening the right to organize, Senator Gillibrand demonstrates what it means to be a champion for working people. We are excited to support her campaign and to work together for years to come.”
“Senator Gillibrand is a friend of labor and has delivered results by bringing billions of dollars back to New Yorkers. She has delivered pandemic relief funding, saving jobs when we needed it most. It kept New York open and ensured essential workers could deliver vital services. Senator Gillibrand has earned our vote and endorsement,” said Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC37.
“HTC is proud to endorse Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. In this political climate, we need leaders who understand the critical importance of uplifting working people and the labor movement. We know Senator Gillibrand will be uncompromising in her support for unions and we look forward to supporting her re-election effort,” said Richard Maroko, President of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.
“IBEW Local 3 stands with Senator Gillibrand. She is a fearless voice for working people in labor and consistently fights for our values,” said Chris Erikson, Business Manager of IBEW Local 3. “She met with IBEW Apprentices and electricians-in-training this past year at our training facility and truly understood the hard work our members do. She is a proven leader, and we enthusiastically endorse her reelection to the United States Senate.”
“NYSNA is proud to support Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for re-election because she has been a strong advocate for nurses and healthcare justice. In this crucial election year, New York needs continued strong leadership on the federal level to protect and lift up working families,” said Nancy Hagans, RN, President of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)
“Senator Gillibrand has supported a worker’s right to unionize her entire career. She met regularly with Starbucks workers at the beginning of their fight, empowering them to continue organizing for a better workforce. She also leads the effort to ensure better working conditions for garment workers. As we continue to fight, we stand alongside Senator Gillibrand as she fights for organized labor,” said Edgar Romney, Secretary-Treasurer of Workers United.
“The Uniformed Firefighters Association is proud to endorse Senator Gillibrand. After years of advocating for the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program, she has delivered results for our members,” said Andrew Ansbro, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA). “She relentlessly fights for first responders, and we are honored to support her in this upcoming re-election.”
“32BJ proudly endorses Senator Gillibrand for reelection. From her tireless efforts to expand the living wage and access to safe and affordable healthcare to her championship of the PRO Act, which would greatly strengthen unions and worker protections nationwide, Senator Gillibrand has established herself as a fierce advocate for working people across New York. We look forward to continuing our work with the Senator to build worker power,” said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU.
“Senator Gillibrand is a champion for our students and has delivered significant resources to our schools around the state. We had the privilege to partner with the Senator’s office this year to hold an incredibly successful grant workshop for school administrators in New York. Because of these efforts and her support for labor unions we are more than proud to endorse Senator Gillibrand,” said Henry Rubio, President of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA). “She is a fighter for our children, and recognizes that the future lies with them.”
“Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has always stood with labor, and has fought tirelessly throughout her career to make this country even stronger for working families. From fighting for legislation to end outsourcing and bring jobs back to the US, to working to expand Social Security, to walking our picket lines and supporting workers during our strikes at Momentive, Verizon, and Catholic Health Mercy Hospital, Sen. Gillibrand has been a true champion for CWA members, and we are proud to endorse her for re-election!” said Dennis G. Trainor, Vice President, CWA District 1.
“Our union represents transit, airline, railroad, university, utility and service sectors. Senator Gillibrand consistently delivers results not only for our members, but for our MTA, airports and the health and safety of passengers. She is relentless in her advocacy to reopen Amtrak, to upgrade bus fleets, and support the working environment for our members. Her partnership has been an asset, and we stand with her in this upcoming election,” said John Samuelsen, President of the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
“Senator Gillibrand has a proven track record of standing with working families across New York. Local 1407 and South Asian Americans in the labor movement had the opportunity to stand with the Senator multiple times this past year – fighting for union priorities like the PRO Act” said Maf Uddin, President of Accountants, Statisticians and Actuaries Local 1407 and President of the Alliance of the South Asian American Labor. “We are proud to endorse Senator Gillibrand and look forward to continuing the fight to protect the middle class in this State and beyond.”
“I am proud to endorse Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to continue her unwavering advocacy in the United State Senate for the rights and interests of workers across our nation. There is no better friend to organized labor, and we look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership,” said Thomas Carey, President of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body AFL-CIO. “ It is an honor knowing a US Senator I can call a friend.”
