HARTFORD, CT — The following statement may be attributed to Juan Hernandez, Vice-President of 32BJ SEIU.

“We are pleased the voters have once again chosen a strong slate of progressive candidates across Connecticut in the municipal elections today. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Luke Bronin on winning his second term as mayor and to the Working Families Party candidates for Hartford City Council.

“These candidates’ victories mark a victory for Hartford’s hardworking residents who wake up every morning to go to work looking for a better life for their families. Union workers have played a pivotal role in this year’s state and local elections. Just one year out from November 2020, 32BJ SEIU members are strengthening their political muscle. As the Trump administration attacks unions and working families, union members are organizing and speaking out in record numbers. Tuesday’s election victory comes on the heels of high-profile labor activity including the GM strike, Chicago teacher’s strikes and our Connecticut local’s successful inclusion of 500 new private security officers into 32BJ. Labor’s recent resurgence has been paralleled by the rise of progressive campaigns for the rights of workers, immigrants, women, people-of-color, the LGBTQ community, and all those whom the Trump administration seeks to marginalize and minimize. Tonight, we all rose up as one in Hartford, and we do it again across America in 2020.”

###

With more than 175,000 members in 11 states and Washington DC, including 5,000 in Connecticut, 32BJ SEIU is the largest building service workers union in the country.