RELEASE: CONNECTICUT LABOR LEADERS RALLY BEHIND GOVERNOR LAMONT AHEAD OF AUGUST 11 PRIMARY
Lamont Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 4
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***Press Release***
CONNECTICUT LABOR LEADERS RALLY BEHIND GOVERNOR LAMONT AHEAD OF AUGUST 11 PRIMARY
Union Leaders Representing Thousands of Teachers, Construction Workers, Carpenters, and Hospitality Employees Point to Eight Years of Results for Working Families
New Haven, CT — Connecticut labor leaders representing thousands of teachers, construction workers, hospitality employees, and carpenters stood shoulder to shoulder with Governor Ned Lamont today and sent a strong message to Democrats ahead of the August 11 primary: this is the candidate who has delivered for working people, and this is the candidate who will keep delivering.
"I'm proud to have earned the support of so many hardworking union members across our state, and together we'll keep fighting for Connecticut's working families," said Governor Ned Lamont. "Whether it was raising the minimum wage, creating Paid Family and Medical Leave, investing in infrastructure that created thousands of union jobs, or standing with striking workers on the picket line, we're showing that when labor succeeds, Connecticut succeeds and I've got their backs."
The rally brought together leaders from the Connecticut AFL-CIO, the Connecticut State Building Trades Council, the Connecticut Education Association, UNITE HERE Local 34, UNITE HERE Local 217, and Connecticut Carpenters Local 326, alongside local and state elected officials and additional unions representing workers in every corner of the state. Their message was united and direct, that Governor Lamont has earned labor's trust–not with promises, but with results.
Over the past eight years, Governor Lamont has built one of the strongest pro-worker records of any governor in Connecticut history by raising the minimum wage, delivering Paid Family and Medical Leave for working families, investing in infrastructure that put thousands of union members to work, and standing on the picket line with striking workers when it counted most. It's a record labor leaders say speaks louder than any campaign promise, and it's why, with just days until the primary, they're asking Democrats across Connecticut to make sure it continues.
Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne said labor's support was built on years of partnership with Lamont.
"Labor endorsements aren't owed to anyone, they're earned," Hawthorne said. "Governor Lamont has consistently respected collective bargaining, listened to working people, and delivered real progress for us. That's why unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers have chosen to stand with him again."
UNITE HERE Local 217 President Josh Stanley pointed to Governor Lamont's willingness to stand alongside striking workers.
"When our members were on strike, Governor Lamont didn't just issue a statement, he met us right on the picket line and pushed employers to settle a fair contract,," Stanley said. "Workers remember who shows up. That's why hospitality workers are proudly supporting Governor Lamont."
Connecticut State Building Trades Council Executive Director Joe Toner contrasted Governor Lamont's relationship with labor with Josh Elliott's response after failing to earn labor endorsements.
“Josh Elliott can dismiss the Building Trades' endorsement all he wants, but he's wrong to suggest it won't matter. Our endorsement isn't just a headline, it means thousands of hardworking union members who are ready to knock doors, make calls, and turn out to vote. When the Connecticut Building Trades stand behind a candidate, it means something because it's backed by action. Governor Lamont has earned the support of Connecticut's Building Trades through his record of delivering for working people."
Connecticut Education Association President Kate Dias said Governor Lamont has treated educators as partners.
"Our endorsement reflects the voices of Connecticut educators," Dias said. "Governor Lamont has invested in our public schools, worked with teachers, and supported our students. He has earned educators' trust through partnership and results. Throughout his tenure Governor Lamont has consistently reached out to CEA for input and counsel on important educational matters. Our endorsement is a result of our democratic union process and our members' voices. We are proud to endorse Governor Lamont for a third term.”
As Governor, Lamont has worked alongside labor to deliver major victories for Connecticut workers, including creating Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave program, raising and indexing the minimum wage, banning captive audience meetings, strengthening worker protections, making historic investments in transportation and infrastructure, and more.
With early voting now underway through August 9, labor leaders encouraged union members, retirees, and working families to cast their ballots for Governor Lamont on or before the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, August 11.
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