Latest news with #32BJ
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Key unions whose leadership called on Andrew Cuomo to resign in 2021 now backing him for mayor
NEW YORK — Two powerful unions whose leadership called on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations are now endorsing Cuomo's bid for mayor, giving a boost to his growing lead over competitors in the Democratic primary. The unions, 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council — which together represent around 125,000 building and hotel workers — were seen as key to Mayor Eric Adams' 2021 victory. 'In these challenging times for New Yorkers, it is critical that we have a mayor with a proven history of effective government management to lead us towards a better future,' HTC President Rich Maroko said in a statement. The leader added that the endorsement comes as the union's citywide hotel contract is up for renegotiation. 'As Andrew Cuomo said when he recently addressed our members, when we need him in a fight, he will be in the foxhole with us until the end,' Maroko said. Maroko previously called on Cuomo to resign, calling the allegations of sexual harassment, which Cuomo has denied, 'deeply disturbing.' The former head of 32BJ, Kyle Bragg, also had called on Cuomo to resign as governor when the allegations came to light in 2021. These endorsements are just the latest groups to put their weight behind Cuomo after calling for him to step down in 2021. A spokesperson for HTC referred to Maroko's statement, saying the union made the decision based on what's best for its members now. Manny Pastreich, current President of 32BJ, said in a statement he endorsing the former governor in part because Cuomo would be able to fight back against the president's offensives on the city. 'Andrew Cuomo is equipped to stand up to attacks on our city that threaten our finances, our jobs, our public transportation, our health care, our social security and our rights,' Pastreich said. '(T)heir faith in me is a tremendous boost for our campaign and I am proud to have their endorsement,' Cuomo said of the unions. Cuomo has previously won endorsements from unions representing carpenters, electrical workers, EMTs, paramedics and fire inspectors, among others. Many of those unions, as well as others now endorsing Cuomo, also called on the then-governor to resign. _____
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NYC comptroller hopeful Justin Brannan nets key union support amid Hudson Yards casino debate
The Hotel Trades Council and 32BJ, two of New York's most influential unions, are throwing their political weight behind Justin Brannan's bid for city comptroller — the labor groups' first citywide endorsements in the 2025 cycle. The unions, which between them represent roughly 125,000 workers in the city, hold significant sway in local elections and are known to mount extensive get-out-the-vote campaigns for their preferred candidates. Together with DC 37, the city's largest municipal union, their endorsements of Mayor Adams in the 2021 election were instrumental in carrying him to victory that year. 'I am truly honored to have the support of 32BJ and HTC as we challenge the status quo, stand up to Trump, and ensure that every worker is treated with dignity and respect,' Brannan, a Council member representing southern Brooklyn, said Thursday. Besides being the first citywide 2025 endorsement they're offering, it's significant that HTC and 32 BJ are in Brannan endorsing the more progressive candidate in the race. The unions often back more moderate candidates, but HTC and 32 BJ officials told the Daily News they opted against backing Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Brannan's main rival in the June 24 Democratic comptroller primary, for a handful of reasons. For HTC, which represents hotel and gaming workers, the officials said the union grew skeptical of Levine after he used his Manhattan BP post in February to advise against awarding Wynn Resorts a license to build a casino in Hudson Yards, a project that'd likely bring thousands of jobs to add to the union's ranks. Brannan 'has always supported policies that lift up working families, promoted responsible development that creates high-quality jobs, and stood firmly against the erosion of housing protections,' HTC President Richard Maroko said. For 32BJ, which represents building service workers, the officials said Brannan is a strong supporter of labor rights and credited him for helping advance a bill to launch the Office of Healthcare Accountability, which seeks to drive down medical costs for New Yorkers. 'Justin Brannan is a strong progressive leader who has consistently fought for working people,' 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich said. Reacting to the new labor support for Brannan, Levine spokeswoman Annabel Lassally said the BP is 'building the coalition to win this race' with some 100 endorsements from unions, political clubs and elected leaders. Levine has so far outshined Brannan in fundraising for the comptroller's race and is lining up endorsements from various other power-players in city politics, including Manhattan Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Brannan and Levine are battling for the comptroller nod because the incumbent, Brad Lander, isn't seeking reelection in favor of running to try and unseat Adams as mayor.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Powerful 32BJ union to endorse Keith Powers for Manhattan borough president
One of the city's most influential unions, 32BJ, will endorse Keith Powers for Manhattan borough president. 'Housing is a critical issue for members of 32BJ SEIU and all New Yorkers,' 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich said in a statement. 'Throughout his time on the City Council, Council Member Keith Powers has been a consistent champion for building more affordable housing in New York.' Pastreich said Powers' support of the Adams administration's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity citywide zoning plan and advocating for union jobs were reasons to put the union's weight behind the current Council member. The union represents thousands of service industry workers. 'I'm grateful to have the support of 32BJ SEIU, a union dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of working New Yorkers,' Powers said. 'I'm proud to stand alongside organized labor in this campaign and make the needs of working-class New Yorkers a centerpiece of my platform. As borough president, I'll continue to work with unions like 32BJ for more equitable wages and better workplace protections.' Powers is running against State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal in the Democratic primary election for Manhattan borough president. Current Borough President Mark Levine is running to be the city's comptroller.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In potential lead up to a mayoral run, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams highlights affordability, public safety
In her final State of the City speech as council speaker, Adrienne Adams hinted at a potential mayoral run and highlighted her work on issues high on voters' priority lists — affordability and public safety. Adams, who is in her fourth year as leader of the legislative body, has not yet overtly said she'll run for mayor, but she hasn't ruled it out and is expected to announce a run in the coming days. She has already filed a fundraising committee with the New York City Campaign Finance Board and participated in a screening to gain the endorsement of 32BJ, the powerful service workers union. During her speech Tuesday, Adams took direct shots against Mayor Eric Adams and openly slammed his relationship with President Donald Trump. Though they share the same name, the speaker and mayor are not related. 'While we may not have the same resources as the mayoral administration, we have been creative in producing solutions to our city's biggest challenges — from maternal mortality to child poverty,' she said. 'These solutions are models that can be scaled for greater impact.' 'Why lead if your default is to insist that something is too hard, or that we just can't do it?' she continued. 'Why not try to help New Yorkers?' Adams announced a set of improvements to reduce bureaucratic obstacles that prevent access to CityFHEPS housing vouchers. The mayor has blocked expanding the program due to its projected cost. The Council speaker also signaled she wants to prioritize expanding the Fair Fares program, which reduces subway fares for more than 360,000 New Yorkers, permanently fund the CUNY Reconnect program to help re-enroll students and increase funding for a childcare voucher. The speaker called out the mayor for not doing enough to expand eligibility for housing vouchers. But her most pointed criticism was directed at the mayor's proposed $58.3 million cut to library funding and funding for parks. 'This Council will always defend our libraries,' she said. 'When libraries were on the chopping block during the last budget cycle, we mobilized to secure their restoration.' The speaker announced a plan to add seven days of service at ten more branches and said she would continue pushing to restore funding to parks until it reaches almost one percent of the city's budget, calling green spaces 'a lifeline to New Yorkers.' On public safety, she emphasized helping survivors of violent crime and closing Rikers Island, but did not mention plans to alter policing or address the New York Police Department's staffing issues. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced his own mayoral run over the weekend and is leading the field in most polls, pledged to expand the number of police officers if elected. The mayor has increased police presence on the subways. Both of them — and the speaker, if she decides to run — will be competing to win over Black voters, who represent a significant portion of their respective bases. The speaker noted during her speech that people have described her as a moderate, though she did not outright say whether she has applied that term to herself. Still, the reference is a possible allusion to how she might position herself during a mayoral campaign. 'Throughout my time in office, I've been labeled as a 'moderate' in people's attempt to make sense of who I am,' she said. 'But my focus has always been public service, which has no political label.' The speaker made sure to include Trump in her speech. And unlike Mayor Adams, who has cozied up to the president as his Justice Department moved to drop corruption charges against him, the speaker had harsh words for the Republican leader. 'In his quest for power, Trump is willing to burn everything in his way. But a house built on ashes will fall,' she said. 'The Trump administration's cruel crusade against immigrant families, within a nation of immigrants, is threatening our democratic values.' She noted that the Council has backed educational initiatives and legal services to counteract policies perceived by many as anti-immigrant. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who attended the speech, said he supported the speaker running for mayor. 'I'm really, really excited about the entrance of Adrienne Adams,' he said. 'It's what we need right now, so we'll wait and see.'
Politico
04-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
In potential lead up to a mayoral run, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams highlights affordability, public safety
In her final State of the City speech as council speaker, Adrienne Adams hinted at a potential mayoral run and highlighted her work on issues high on voters' priority lists — affordability and public safety. Adams, who is in her fourth year as leader of the legislative body, has not yet overtly said she'll run for mayor, but she hasn't ruled it out and is expected to announce a run in the coming days. She has already filed a fundraising committee with the New York City Campaign Finance Board and participated in a screening to gain the endorsement of 32BJ, the powerful service workers union. During her speech Tuesday, Adams took direct shots against Mayor Eric Adams and openly slammed his relationship with President Donald Trump. Though they share the same name, the speaker and mayor are not related. 'While we may not have the same resources as the mayoral administration, we have been creative in producing solutions to our city's biggest challenges — from maternal mortality to child poverty,' she said. 'These solutions are models that can be scaled for greater impact.' 'Why lead if your default is to insist that something is too hard, or that we just can't do it?' she continued. 'Why not try to help New Yorkers?' Adams announced a set of improvements to reduce bureaucratic obstacles that prevent access to CityFHEPS housing vouchers. The mayor has blocked expanding the program due to its projected cost. The Council speaker also signaled she wants to prioritize expanding the Fair Fares program, which reduces subway fares for more than 360,000 New Yorkers, permanently fund the CUNY Reconnect program to help re-enroll students and increase funding for a childcare voucher. The speaker called out the mayor for not doing enough to expand eligibility for housing vouchers. But her most pointed criticism was directed at the mayor's proposed $58.3 million cut to library funding and funding for parks. 'This Council will always defend our libraries,' she said. 'When libraries were on the chopping block during the last budget cycle, we mobilized to secure their restoration.' The speaker announced a plan to add seven days of service at ten more branches and said she would continue pushing to restore funding to parks until it reaches almost one percent of the city's budget, calling green spaces 'a lifeline to New Yorkers.' On public safety, she emphasized helping survivors of violent crime and closing Rikers Island, but did not mention plans to alter policing or address the New York Police Department's staffing issues. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced his own mayoral run over the weekend and is leading the field in most polls, pledged to expand the number of police officers if elected. The mayor has increased police presence on the subways. Both of them — and the speaker, if she decides to run — will be competing to win over Black voters, who represent a significant portion of their respective bases. The speaker noted during her speech that people have described her as a moderate, though she did not outright say whether she has applied that term to herself. Still, the reference is a possible allusion to how she might position herself during a mayoral campaign. 'Throughout my time in office, I've been labeled as a 'moderate' in people's attempt to make sense of who I am,' she said. 'But my focus has always been public service, which has no political label.' The speaker made sure to include Trump in her speech. And unlike Mayor Adams, who has cozied up to the president as his Justice Department moved to drop corruption charges against him, the speaker had harsh words for the Republican leader. 'In his quest for power, Trump is willing to burn everything in his way. But a house built on ashes will fall,' she said. 'The Trump administration's cruel crusade against immigrant families, within a nation of immigrants, is threatening our democratic values.' She noted that the Council has backed educational initiatives and legal services to counteract policies perceived by many as anti-immigrant. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who attended the speech, said he supported the speaker running for mayor. 'I'm really, really excited about the entrance of Adrienne Adams,' he said. 'It's what we need right now, so we'll wait and see.'
