Leading South Florida Labor Organizations Support Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

 
Congresswoman Receives More Than 50
Key South Florida Labor Reelection Endorsements

HOLLYWOOD, Fla – A group representing more than 50leading South Florida labor organizations today announced their endorsement of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s reelection in Florida’s 23rdCongressional District.

“I’m honored to receive such an outpouring of support from my brothers and sisters in the labor movement,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, of Weston. “Teachers, teamsters, firefighters, public employees; no matter the profession or trade, ensuring the needs ofworking families are addressed is a fundamental motivation for public service. Labor has always had a seat at the table and a place in my heart and I’m honored and humbled to receive these endorsements.”

During a news conference announcing their support, the labor leaders hailed the Congresswoman’s long record of providing strong, responsive and progressive leadership on behalf of working people in South Florida and across America.

“When everything is on the line and you need a leader on your side, Debbie has always answered our call.” said Dan Reynolds, national president of the Federation of Public Employees. “Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a strong fighter for South Florida’s working families. She stands upfor us and we are here in mass to stand with her.”

Anna Fusco, incoming president of the Broward Teachers Union echoed the glowing assessment of Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s leadership on behalf of labor.

“We have stood side-by-side with Debbie and she has worked tirelessly on our behalf. She has earned our respect and our support,” said Fusco. “When it comes to our schools, Debbie’s more than a Congresswoman; she’s a mother of three children in public school who shares our values and understands the challenges and needs of classroom teachers and education professionals.”

Since her first election to the Florida Legislature, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has enjoyed consistent and substantial union support.

“Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz represents nearly 6,000 registered nurses, certified nurses’ aides in hospitals and nursing homes, airport janitors, cabin cleaners, greeters and skycaps who are members of the Service Employees International Union and live and work in her district. Debbie has fought side-by-side with our members for well over a decade. We have rallied and lobbied with her on our side, fighting for smaller class sizes in our public schools, early voting and safe staffing levels in Florida’s nursing home. We’ve won incredible victories, like bringing affordable insurance to more than 1.5 million Floridians through Obamacare,” said Monica Russo, president of SEIU Florida. “The members of SEIU Florida are proud to be mobilizing alongside Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz to ensure that we reelect Debbie and make history by electing Senator Hillary Clinton as the first woman President of the United States of America.”

News conference participants lauded Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for making serving the people of South Florida and addressing issues important to local residents a top priority.

“Debbie is deeply engaged in our community and always fights for people in this Congressional district,” said Frank Ortis, president of the Florida State Council of Machinists. “Debbie not only understands that hard-working people need a pay raise. She will be there in the mix fighting for a $15 an hour minimum wage so workers can earn the paythey deserve.”

The labor groups endorsing Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz include:

American Federation of Government Employees 558
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 979
American Federation of Teachers Local 2
American Federation of Teachers Local 1974 – United Teachers of Dade
American Federation of Teachers Local 1975 – BrowardTeachers Union
American Federation of Teachers 7463, United Faculty of Florida-Broward College
Florida Alliance of Retired Americans
International Association of Fire Fighters
Florida Professional Firefighters
Broward County Council of Professional Fire Fighters
Davie Local Fire Fighters 2315
Hollywood Professional Fire Fighters 1375
Fort Lauderdale Firefighters 765
Miramar Professional Firefighters 2820
Pembroke Pines Firefighters 2292
Pompano Beach Firefighters 1549
Dania Beach Local Firefighters 4321
Sunrise Local Firefighters 3080
Hallandale Beach Local Firefighters 3080
Cooper City Local Firefighters 4321
Weston Local Firefighters 4321
Fraternal Order of Police, Florida State Lodge
Fraternal Order of Police, District 5 (Broward County)
Fraternal Order of Police, District 6 (Miami-Dade County)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 728
International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1526
International Union of Operating Engineers 487
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades 452
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades 365
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades 1010
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 78
Florida State Association of Letter Carriers
Service Employees International Union of Florida
Service Employees International Union 1199
Service Employees International Union 1991
Service Employees International Union 32BJ
United Food and Commercial Workers 1625
American Federation of Teachers Local 2570, New York State United Teachers
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1267
Branch 1071 South Florida Letter Carriers
National Association of Letter Carriers 2550
Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 100, GSAF
Seafarers International Union
Transport Workers Union Florida State Conference
Transport Workers Union Local 570
Transport Workers Union Local 291
National Air Traffic Controllers Association Local MIA
National Air Traffic Controllers Association Local FLL
American Postal Workers Union
International Association of Machinists Florida State Council
Florida Education Association
American Federation of Teachers
National Federation of Public and Private Employees
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union