Jun 24, 2014 - Her public support of our efforts to stop the closure of Taunton State. Hospital is a clear indication th
Contact: Bonnie McGilpin
[email protected], 413-210-2703
MARTHA COAKLEY ENDORSED BY AFSCME COUNCIL 93 BOSTON – Tuesday, June 24, 2014 – Attorney General Martha Coakley, candidate for governor, today received the endorsement of Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFSCME Council 93 represents more than 35,000 Massachusetts public employees working in public higher education, state human services, state parks and recreation, corrections, and a wide range of critical jobs in municipalities and school districts. The unanimous endorsement by the union’s executive board adds to the thousands of workers across Massachusetts already on the ground working to elect Coakley. Since she launched her campaign in the fall, she has been endorsed by Teamsters 25, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 103, Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) 369, Massachusetts Coalition of Police, Massachusetts Police Association, Sheetmetal Workers Local 63, 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, Painters and Allied Trades District Council #35. “Our union is proud to support Attorney General Martha Coakley’s campaign to be the next Governor of Massachusetts,” said AFSCME Council 93 Executive Director Frank Moroney. “With Martha, we know we will have a governor who will respect public employees and who will always appreciate the important work that AFSCME members do every day to make our state and communities a great place to live and raise a family. Her public support of our efforts to stop the closure of Taunton State Hospital is a clear indication that she will be a governor who understands the value of protecting and supporting the essential public services we provide. Most importantly, it demonstrates that she has the courage and compassion to take on anyone when it comes to fighting for what is right.” “All too often, candidates for public office will attempt to climb to the top by attacking public employees and pledging to cut funding for critical services we provide and the healthcare and retirement benefits we have fought for and earned,” said Council 93 President Charlie Owen. “One of the reasons Martha Coakley received the unanimous endorsement of our executive board is because she has never been that kind of candidate. Martha will not scapegoat public employees. She will invest in the critical public services we provide and as our economy continues to improve, will work to restore some of the deep cuts that have been made to these services. We look forward to working hard to elect Martha Coakley as our next governor”
“The more than 35,000 Massachusetts members of AFSCME are the unsung heroes of state and local government. They work behind the scenes to deliver high-quality care to the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, keep our public higher education campuses safe and running smoothly and maintain our roads, parks and many key components of our infrastructure in our municipalities and public schools," said Attorney General Coakley. "I am honored by AFSCME Council 93's support and look forward to working with them to make Massachusetts prosperous and fair." Coakley has spent her career advocating for opportunity, fairness and equality on behalf of the people of Massachusetts. As governor, she will be committed to raising the minimum wage, providing earned sick time to all workers, and ensuring that all residents have an opportunity to succeed. ###
