The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees International Union (AFSCME) endorsed Rob Menendez in the 8th District congressional race, which is not unusual since their NJ chapter backed the same candidate in March.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“AFSCME is proud to endorse Rob because we are confident that he is the most labor-friendly candidate in the race and he is committed to helping working families in New Jersey’s 8th District and beyond,” Executive Director of AFSCME Council 63 Executive Director Steve Tully said in a statement.
“As a strong supporter of the PRO Act, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, and other legislation that protects and expands our right to organize workers for better conditions, Rob is going to be a champion for organized labor in Congress. We look forward to mobilizing our members to make sure that he is elected to office.”
AFSCME was founded during the Great Depression on a simple idea: that a professional civil service is essential to a strong democracy.
This idea has sustained AFSCME through nearly nine decades, as it has grown from a fledgling organization of a few thousand people to having over 1.6 million active and retired workers.
“AFSCME’s endorsement is a great honor, following the endorsement of their State Council in New Jersey. Since day one, protecting and strengthening organized labor has been at the core of our campaign,” Menendez pointed out.
“When organized labor is strong, our communities are stronger. AFSCME has been fighting for working families in the 8th District for many years, and I will proudly be at their side as they continue to do so.”
Menendez, a lawyer, Port Authority commissioner, and the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), is the favorite to succeed U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, though he still must defeat David Ocampo Grajales and Ane Roseborough-Eberhard in Tuesday’s primary.
