The Uniformed Firefighters Association of Jersey City, IAFF Local 1066, is backing Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) for mayor.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“It’s an honor and a privilege to earn the support of Jersey City’s firefighters, the brave men and women who put their own safety in jeopardy to protect all of us and help our city respond to all types of disasters,” O’Dea said in a statement.
“As Mayor I will stop the dangerous closures of fire companies, ensure that we have the manpower, training and equipment necessary to keep our community safe at all times, and significantly improve JCFD operations, benefiting both our firefighters and all residents.”
Local 1066 leaders pledged to work hard to get O’Dea elected as the city’s next Mayor because of his clear record of supporting the city’s rank and file firefighters and his plans to improve public safety operations.
The endorsement comes after an open process that allowed union members to vote for their top choice in the election, which O’Dea won overwhelmingly.
“Bill O’Dea knows Jersey City better than any other candidate and he fully understands what our members need in order to do their jobs and keep our community safe,” added IAFF Local 1066 President Jack Collins.
“Bill has always had our backs and stood up for public safety and labor. Now we proudly stand with him.”
O’Dea’s other labor endorsements, include the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council, Hudson County Central Labor Council, the Jersey City Education Association, Municipal Employees Local 245, 32BJ SEIU, Teamsters Local 560, and District 1199J – among others.
Team O’Dea Council candidates Councilman-at-Large Danny Rivera, Kristen Zadroga-Hart, Saundra Robinson Green, and Joel Brooks, who is running in Ward B and traded endorsements with O’Dea, also attended the event.
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