BRIDGEPORT, Conn – Members of 32BJ SEIU, the nation’s largest property services union, have voted to endorse State Senators Marilyn Moore and Ed Gomes of Bridgeport in the Connecticut Democratic Primary on August 9 — a vote they will support with member-to-member canvassing work through next Tuesday’s primary. 32BJ Connecticut District Leader Juan Hernandez explained that the Senators offer the region’s best chance to fight the disparities that have placed Bridgeport at the low end of the second most unequal metropolitan region in the nation (Bridgeport-Norwalk-Stamford):

“Through their long careers, Senators Moore and Gomes have shown great solidarity with working people and with people of color who often suffer the worst from income inequality. Both Senators have firmly supported measures that would finally bring relief to working families in their district, including a raise in the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and bills like the Better Jobs Act, which would create more full-time work for service employees.”

A resident of Bridgeport for seven decades, Senator Gomes has fought for working people from his days as a union steelworker through his current position as chair of the Labor and Public Employees’ Committee. He was the prime mover in the “Ban the Box” legislation that removed the stigma faced by former felons applying for jobs. Senator Moore, meanwhile, took a job at Target last summer to better understand the hardship faced by low-wage workers, and her championship of the Low-Wage Employer fee bill led to the creation of the current Low-Wage Employer Advisory Board. Both Senators made strong statements in favor of a $15 minimum wage at the Low Wage Employer Advisory Board hearing in Bridgeport last month.

“We need Senators like Marilyn Moore and Ed Gomes to improve conditions in Bridgeport and across Connecticut,” said 32BJ member Ana Reyes, a Bridgeport resident for 17 years and a cleaner at the People’s United Bank downtown. “My 22-year-old daughter works at McDonald’s but she lives with me because she only makes enough to help a little with the bills. People need full-time work with good benefits to make our city a better place to live. If residents come out to vote for them, I know Senators Moore and Gomes will fight hard for $15-an-hour and more full-time work.”
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With more than 145,000 members in 11 states and Washington DC, including 4,000 members in Connecticut, 32BJ is the largest building service workers union in the country