Unions Slam Turner Over Anti-Worker Positions, Endorse Weprin for Congress

Press Release

David Weprin, Democratic Candidate for Congress in New York's Ninth Congressional District, today received a Labor Day Weekend endorsement from many of New York City's largest labor unions representing over 500,000 New Yorkers. The unions include Service Employees International Union Local 1199, SEIU Local 32BJ, the Building & Construction Trades Council, DC37, Teamsters Joint Council 16, Asbestos Workers Local 12, Boiler Makers Local 5, the Carpenters District Council, Cement Masons Local 780, the Concrete Workers District Council, Elevator Constructors Local 1, Operating Engineers Locals 14 and 15, Glaziers Local 128, IBEW Local 3, the Iron Workers District Council, the Mason Tenders District Council, Metal Lathers Local 46, Painters District Council 9, Plumbers Local 1, Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, Steamfitters Local 638, Teamsters Local 282, and Tile, Marble & Terrazzo Local 7.

All cited Weprin's strong support for protecting Social Security, Medicare, and working families in their endorsement of his candidacy for Congress.

Leaders from many of these labor organizations also condemned Republican Bob Turner for his support of policies that would harm American workers and their families.

"Throughout my career I've fought for workers, and I'm thrilled to have the support of New York City's labor community," Weprin said. "I'll need their help in the fight against Bob Turner and his Tea Party allies as they
work to destroy Medicare and Social Security and push tax cuts for companies that ship jobs overseas."

Authorized and paid for by David Weprin for Congress.

In addition to opposing an extension of the Payroll Tax Holiday for workers, Bob Turner has also voiced opposition to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and the Employee Free Choice Act,
which will empower workers to organize and increase their ability to negotiate fair contracts. Additionally, Turner advocates for a 35 percent cut in the federal budget, which would force severe cuts to Social Security
and Medicare.

"We're endorsing David Weprin because he's on the right side of the issues that matter to working men and women in New York City," said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades
Council of Greater New York. "We need David Weprin representing us in Congress, fighting for working families here in Queens and Brooklyn."

"This election is about protecting middle class families in the Ninth Congressional District and throughout New York City," said George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. "We don't need
another Congressman who favors tax cuts for millionaires over the needs of the American worker. David Weprin has made clear that he supports American working men and women, that he will protect Social Security and Medicare, and that he will fight to get New Yorkers back to work.

That's why we need him representing us in Congress."

"In a time of economic uncertainty, we need someone in Congress who will support investment in creating good jobs, not Tea Party policies that benefit corporations at the expense of workers," said Hector Figueroa,
Secretary-Treasurer of 32BJ SEIU, the largest private sector union in the state. "That's why we're working to make David Weprin the next Congressman from Brooklyn and Queens."

These labor endorsements for Weprin are the latest in a growing list of endorsements that includes Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Joe Lieberman, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Congressman Joe Crowley, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, New York City Comptroller John Liu, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, Uniformed Firefighters Association, the New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the United Food and Commercial Workers, and a host of other elected officials and organizations.

The New York Times also endorsed David Weprin for Congress, recognizing that he will "push for higher taxes for the wealthy rather than cut programs that serve the working and middle classes" and will "work
Authorized and paid for by David Weprin for Congress. to protect Social Security and Medicare." Added the Times: "The choice is clear: Mr. Weprin would represent the district with far more expertise, sensitivity and fiscal rationality."

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