Seven prominent unions that are a part of the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council endorsed 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco for mayor this afternoon.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am honored and grateful to have the endorsement of these union leaders who collectively represent thousands of working men and women in Hoboken, in Hudson County and beyond,†said DeFusco said in a statement.
“I believe in bringing new energy and new ideas to Hoboken, like updating our outdated zoning laws to allow innovative economic development. This would provide more union construction jobs, but it would also make our city more vibrant and create a space for innovative new businesses like urban wineries, coffee roasters and tech co-working spaces to thrive, diversifying the tax base and reducing the burden on residential taxpayers.”
The endorsement comes from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 164, UA Sprinkler Fitters Local 696, UA Pipefitters Local 274, UA PLUMBERS Local 24, Bricklayers Local 4 and Painters, Tapers and Glazers Local 711.
For those following the Hoboken mayoral contest closely, the endorsement doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given that labor unions were generous contributors to DeFusco’s campaign based on the second quarter filings with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Union leaders present at the endorsement included Hudson County Building Trades President and Plumbers Local 24 Business Agent Patrick Kelleher, IBEW Local 164 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Dan Gumble, Sprinkler Fitters Local 696 Business Manager Kevin Bellew, among several others, according to the DeFusco campaign.
The Hudson County Building Trades had 13 labor unions endorse Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for re-election this morning, also throwing their support behind his council slate.