In the first labor endorsements of this election year, AFSCME Council 5 and Fire Fighters Local 82 Wednesday announced their support of Peter McLaughlin for mayor of Minneapolis.
Both unions said McLaughlin, currently a Hennepin County commissioner, would do a better job of protecting public safety and working with city employees than the incumbent mayor, R.T. Rybak.
"We choose a leader with a proven record of getting things done," said Tom Thornberg, president of Local 82. Four years ago, the Fire Fighters endorsed Rybak, but have been disappointed in his performance as mayor, he said.
"Bottom line, the people of Minneapolis are not as safe as they were four years ago, and it didn't have to be this way," Thornberg said. "There are 50 fewer firefighters protecting our community, three ladder companies have closed and our ability to fight fires and handle medical emergencies in a manner consistent with federal standards has been greatly compromised."
AFSCME represents 1,000 city employees and has more than 4,500 members who live in the city of Minneapolis, said Eliot Seide, Council 5 executive director.
"AFSCME is endorsing Peter McLaughlin for mayor because he knows the importance of working hand-in-hand with the frontline workers who provide the basic services that are key to public safety and the quality of life in the city of Minneapolis," Seide said. "Peter has walked the talk, especially in hard budget times, of getting the best ideas from public employees to improve and maintain the quality of life in Hennepin County and Minneapolis."
Four years ago, the union made no endorsement in the mayor's race, but this year is urging its members to get involved in supporting McLaughlin at the March 1st precinct caucuses and beyond, Seide said.
"I am both humbled and proud to accept the endorsement of the Fire Fighters and the women and men of AFSCME," McLaughlin said, at the endorsement news conference held on the steps of Minneapolis City Hall.
"Together we will work to get this city back on track."
The endorsements are the first by unions in the Minneapolis mayoral race. No unions have endorsed yet in the St. Paul mayoral contest, where incumbent Randy Kelly faces challenges from former St. Paul City Council member Chris Coleman and Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega.
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| On the steps of Minneapolis City Hall, mayoral candidate Peter McLaughlin thanked AFSCME and the Fire Fighters for their support. |
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In the first labor endorsements of this election year, AFSCME Council 5 and Fire Fighters Local 82 Wednesday announced their support of Peter McLaughlin for mayor of Minneapolis.
Both unions said McLaughlin, currently a Hennepin County commissioner, would do a better job of protecting public safety and working with city employees than the incumbent mayor, R.T. Rybak.
“We choose a leader with a proven record of getting things done,” said Tom Thornberg, president of Local 82. Four years ago, the Fire Fighters endorsed Rybak, but have been disappointed in his performance as mayor, he said.
“Bottom line, the people of Minneapolis are not as safe as they were four years ago, and it didn’t have to be this way,” Thornberg said. “There are 50 fewer firefighters protecting our community, three ladder companies have closed and our ability to fight fires and handle medical emergencies in a manner consistent with federal standards has been greatly compromised.”
AFSCME represents 1,000 city employees and has more than 4,500 members who live in the city of Minneapolis, said Eliot Seide, Council 5 executive director.
“AFSCME is endorsing Peter McLaughlin for mayor because he knows the importance of working hand-in-hand with the frontline workers who provide the basic services that are key to public safety and the quality of life in the city of Minneapolis,” Seide said. “Peter has walked the talk, especially in hard budget times, of getting the best ideas from public employees to improve and maintain the quality of life in Hennepin County and Minneapolis.”
Four years ago, the union made no endorsement in the mayor’s race, but this year is urging its members to get involved in supporting McLaughlin at the March 1st precinct caucuses and beyond, Seide said.
“I am both humbled and proud to accept the endorsement of the Fire Fighters and the women and men of AFSCME,” McLaughlin said, at the endorsement news conference held on the steps of Minneapolis City Hall.
“Together we will work to get this city back on track.”
The endorsements are the first by unions in the Minneapolis mayoral race. No unions have endorsed yet in the St. Paul mayoral contest, where incumbent Randy Kelly faces challenges from former St. Paul City Council member Chris Coleman and Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega.
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| On the steps of Minneapolis City Hall, mayoral candidate Peter McLaughlin thanked AFSCME and the Fire Fighters for their support. |