BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley, candidate for governor, today received the endorsement of 32BJ SEIU, representing 17,000 workers across Massachusetts, based on her strong track record of accomplishment and partnership with working families in Massachusetts.
Roxana Rivera, Director of 32BJ SEIU District 615 vowed that members will “work tirelessly to ensure Martha Coakley is our next Governor.”
“Martha Coakley has a proven track record of putting working people first,” said Rivera. “As Attorney General, Martha Coakley has been at the forefront of the fight for dignity at the workplace. Her office has been one of the most proactive in recent history, investigating cases of wage-theft and citing irresponsible contractors at Logan Airport, where more than 1,500 service workers are seeking better working conditions and a better life for their families.”
Low-wage workers struggling to make ends meet at fast-food chains, at the airport and those fighting for good jobs at places like the MBTA know that the next Governor will make major decisions affecting the quality of jobs in Massachusetts. We support Martha Coakley because we know that she has a solid commitment to a more inclusive vision of what a stronger Massachusetts looks like. A State where immigrants feel welcomed and protected, no matter their background or origin. A State where everyone has a chance to move up and improve their lives.”
“We are looking forward to supporting Martha Coakley’s candidacy with our robust field operation, said Rivera. We are planning to mobilize and communicate with 17,000 members and their communities online, by mail, on the phone and in person and discuss why Coakley is the strongest candidate in this race.”
“I’m honored to have the support of so many hard working men and women throughout the Commonwealth,” said Coakley. “These workers are the backbone of our economy. We have the opportunity to create a more fair and prosperous economy in Massachusetts, and as governor, I look forward to partnering with 32BJ SEIU as we tackle income inequality and the challenges our communities are facing.”
Coakley’s campaign has continued to build grassroots momentum, knocking on thousands of doors in every region of the Commonwealth and receiving the endorsements of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, MassEquality, Planned Parenthood and thousands of workers across the state representing Teamsters 25, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 103 and 223, Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) 369, Massachusetts Coalition of Police, Massachusetts Police Association, Sheetmetal Workers Local 63, 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East., New England Regional Council of Carpenters, Painters and Allied Trades District Council #35 and AFSCME Council 93.
With 150,000 members in 11 states and Washington DC—including 17,000 in Massachusetts—32BJ SEIU is the largest property service union in the country. The union represents commercial cleaners, security officers, property service workers and trades workers at colleges. 32BJ SEIU District 615 represents property service workers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.