NEW YORK— 32BJ SEIU members announced today that they have endorsed NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio for re-election based on his record of commitment to working families and making the city stronger and fairer for all.

“In his first term the Mayor started a universal Pre-K program for our kids, created a program to ensure that affordable housing is built in this city, has both lowered crime and curtailed stop and frisk and so much more that has made life better for us all,” said 32BJ President Hector Figueroa. “He has stood with the janitors, security officers, school cleaners and residential workers that make up our 75,000-strong union family, and has been an unwavering partner in the Fight for $15 for airport workers, fast food workers and other low-wage workers doing all they can for a decent wage and union rights. After a Presidential Election that has made it more clear than ever that we need champions of a progressive and inclusive vision for our country, our members enthusiastically support Mayor de Blasio because that is his vision for our city. We are committed to fighting for economic, social, racial and immigrant justice in New York City and in this country and that is why we are endorsing Mayor de Blasio.”

In announcing their endorsement for the mayor at a press conference today, 32BJ members highlighted some of the mayor’s accomplishments in his first term, including:

• The creation of IDNYC and other policies to protect the rights of immigrants in our city;
• The creation of Pre-K for all, community schools, restructuring the school custodial system under a single employer and ensuring a contract for 32BJ members who keep the city’s public schools clean that includes the prevailing wage for all;
• Raising the living wage and expanding its coverage, expanding paid sick leave for more than a million New York City workers, establishing the Office of Labor and Policy Standards, and pledging to support fair scheduling practices for fast food workers;
• Changing building codes to cut emissions and divesting from coal;
• Passing Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and other rezonings that include much needed affordable housing;
• Bringing crime to record lows while substantially reducing stop and frisk.

“Time and again Mayor de Blasio has shown that he cares about working people like us,” said 32BJ member Aurelia Brown, a security officer who lives in Brooklyn. “He has championed the legislation our families need. He wants all New Yorkers to have access to a good education, safe neighborhoods and to know their rights are protected. We need him now more than ever.”

Union members also said they will work hard to get out the vote for the mayor next year.

“I’m ready to do whatever it takes — talk to my family and coworkers, make phone calls and knock on doors to help the mayor get re-elected,” said 32BJ member Donald McCaffrey, a residential member from Queens. “And I’m going to make sure my brothers and sisters in the union know what’s at stake and get them to do the same.”

”I could not be more proud to accept 32BJ SEIU’s endorsement,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.  “32BJ and the Fight for $15 campaign inspired a national movement that has shown that when we stand united for working families, nothing can stop us.  Their powerful leadership on behalf of immigrant families is more important now than ever before, and I know that together we will continue to make New York City stronger and fairer for all, no matter where you live or how much money you make.”

With 155,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., including 75,000 in New York City, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.

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