New York, NY—32BJ SEIU, which represents 163,000 property service workers in 12 states and Washington DC –including 85,000 workers in New York State—announced today the endorsement of Alessandra Biaggi  for the New York State Senate District 34 seat. Alessandra Biaggi is a progressive activist challenging Jeff Klein, the former leader of the now dissolved Independent Democratic Conference that has blocked progressive reform in Albany and enabled Republican control of the State Senate.

The following statement can be attributed to Hector Figueroa President of 32BJ SEIU:

“We are proud to endorse Alessandra Biaggi to represent the people of Westchester and the Bronx in the New York State Senate, ” said Héctor Figueroa, President of 32BJ SEIU. “A united, pro-worker Democratic majority in the New York State Senate will need strong and progressive women like Alessandra Biaggi to help us win for working families. Jeff Klein and the IDC have empowered obstructionist Republicans set on blocking key reforms for too long. Never again.

“In the face of unprecedented attacks on working families, we are endorsing an unapologetically progressive to help more New Yorkers join and form unions, defend voting rights, win the DREAM Act, Liberty Act, bail reform and other important legislation. Thousands of 32BJ SEIU members will get involved in political action this year to remind voters, candidates and elected officials that New York needs unions to build the middle class.”