Labor & Environmental Leaders Give Strong Support to Sheila Oliver for Lieutenant Governor

Press Release

John Ballantyne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters
"The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters represents nearly 40,000 hardworking men and women in Delaware and New Jersey and portions of Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. We are one of the largest trade unions on the East Coast and are pleased with Ambassador Phil Murphy's selection of Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver as his choice for Lieutenant Governor in New Jersey's 2017 Gubernatorial Election. Assemblywoman Oliver is a proven leader and has been a champion for many progressive labor issues in the State of New Jersey, including her work to raise the minimum wage, implement paid family leave and various other issues that impact the middle class in New Jersey. She is a proven leader with years of experience working with the State Legislature on issues that are important to our Union and all workers. We believe that together, the Murphy-Oliver team will work hard to deliver for all New Jersey citizens and we wholeheartedly support her selection as the State's next Lieutenant Governor."

Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and NJ State Director:
"A sign of a good leader is his/her ability to choose the right running mate. Phil Murphy has made a wise choice in selecting Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver to run for Lt. Governor. Former Assembly Speaker Oliver has a long and distinguished career in public service and is a strong supporter of raising the minimum wage, equal pay laws and the rights of labor to organize--issues that Murphy has vowed to fight for when he's elected the next Governor of New Jersey. For these reasons and more, it's clear that New Jersey and the Murphy/Oliver team are perfect together."

Charles Hall, Jr. President, Local 108, and Tom Walsh, President, Local 262, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:
"We have been proud supporters of Phil Murphy since he first announced his campaign for Governor -- and today we are honored to stand with him at the announcement of his running mate Sheila Oliver. Sheila has been a tenacious force for workers across the state and a friend to our members -- we are certain she will continue to be a leading voice for creating good union jobs across the state as Lieutenant Governor. She has and will continue to have our backs in contract negotiations and in organizing campaigns -- and we have her back through Election Day."

Greg Lalevee, Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 825:
"A true champion and advocate for working families across New Jersey, we applaud the selection of former Assembly Speaker Shelia Oliver of East Orange. Speaker Oliver has spent her career fighting for the middle class and those trying to get into it, standing up to protect collective bargaining rights and ensuring that all workers are paid fair wages. She understands the importance infrastructure investment will have on New Jersey's economic future and with her depth of governmental experience and the excitement she will bring to the ticket, we can think of no better candidate to join Ambassador Phil Murphy to lead New Jersey and we are proud to have their backs."

Kelly Mooij, Political Chair, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Board:
"Phil Murphy chose an environmental steward in Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, who joins the Democratic gubernatorial ticket as a candidate for lieutenant governor. Like Murphy, the former Assembly speaker from Essex County is a strong supporter of environmental protections and is prepared to lead New Jersey on key environmental issues like clean energy, climate change, and removing lead in drinking water … We believe Murphy and Oliver will work tirelessly to improve the quality of the air, drinking water, and open spaces for all New Jersey residents to enjoy."

William Mullen, President, New Jersey Building & Construction Trades Council
"Sheila Oliver has long championed issues important to the building trades. With Phil Murphy as governor, and Sheila Oliver as lieutenant governor, New Jersey will have the leadership that recognizes that investments in infrastructure and rebuilding our communities are investments in union labor. Moreover, we know they will stand strong against the ill-informed forces of so-called "right to work' and will protect the rights of workers to organize and earn decent wages and benefits. This is the team New Jersey needs for a better future, and it is the team the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council will proudly stand with."

Milly Silva, Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East:
"The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU are thrilled to support Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver's candidacy for Lieutenant Governor and congratulate Ambassador Phil Murphy in selecting her as his running mate. We have long known Sheila Oliver as a deeply compassionate and tenacious fighter for New Jersey families. Throughout her decades of public service, she has been a leading voice for workers' rights and a tremendous advocate for quality and affordable healthcare for all. An experienced and thoughtful leader with firm working-class roots, she understands the daily struggles facing so many New Jerseyans today. We are confident that Phil Murphy and Sheila Oliver have the progressive vision and determination necessary to reverse years of mismanagement and neglect by the Christie-Guadagno administration."

Peter Ward, President, Hotel Trades Council:
"We were extremely pleased to learn that Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver will be running for Lieutenant Governor alongside Phil Murphy. As a proven supporter of working and middle-class families, she will make an exceptional Lieutenant Governor for the state. New Jersey's hotel workers need leaders who have demonstrated real support for progressive economic policies. Assemblywoman Oliver has fought for minimum wage increases, for equal-pay legislation, and against attacks on labor unions. Her many years of leadership, including as Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, show that she doesn't just believe in doing the right things, but knows how to work to get them done. The Hotel Trades Council and its thousands of New Jersey members wholeheartedly support Sheila Oliver for Lieutenant Governor, and we can't wait to see her and Phil Murphy take office."

Source