Major Unions Back Democrat Ben Kallos for City Council in CD5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2013

 

Major Unions Back Democrat Ben Kallos for City Council in CD5

New York, N.Y. – Democratic nominee for City Council on the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island Ben Kallos has received the endorsement of many more major unions for the November 5 election, including CSA, CWA District One, UFOA, IATSE Local One, UA Plumbers Local One, UAW Region 9A and Metal Lathers Local 46. 

Kallos, already endorsed by the Working Families Party, the UFT and 1199SEIU,  has distinguished himself as the preferred choice for workers in the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. 

“As a former labor attorney, I look forward to being advocate for all New Yorkers in city government. All of us work hard and deserve fair treatment, and I'm honored to receive this overwhelming vote of confidence,” said Kallos.

“We look forward to working with Ben Kallos to acquire the resources school leaders need to help every child get a good education.  As a loyal graduate of New York City public schools, Ben will be a highly effective advocate in City Hall,” said Ernest Logan, President of CSA.

The Council of School Supervisors represent Principals, Assistant Principals and Education, administrators in NYC public schools, and 200 Directors and Assistant Directors who work in city-subsidized Centers for Early Childhood Education.  CSA also has 6,400 retired school supervisors in its Retiree chapter, as well as more than 3,300 of their spouses and domestic partners. Another 112 ECE retirees have joined as well.  On behalf of its members, CSA negotiates salary, benefits and working conditions related to the administration and supervision of NYC public schools. 

“Ben Kallos, who worked his way through college at SUNY Albany maintaining technology infrastructure, will help make our city's telecommunications services including internet, cable TV and phone service more affordable, reliable, and accessible.  He is a strong progressive whose forward-thinking ideas include working with cable franchise holders to offer free and low cost Internet to low-income families across New York City,” said Pete Sikora, NYS Legislative and Political Director, CWA District One, which includes 35,000 union members living and working in New York City. 

CWA District 1 is responsible for supporting 175,000 workers and 327 CWA local unions in New York, New Jersey, New England, and eastern Canada.

“Ben Kallos understands the role the FDNY plays in ensuring public safety and that removing even one more fire company from the fabric of fire protection compromises the safety of all who live, work, and visit New York City. Ben is also committed to protecting the hard earned benefits Fire Officers deserve, and supporting a vibrant middle class in our great City.  The Uniformed Fire Officers Association is proud to endorse Ben Kallos for New York City’s 5th Council District,” said Alexander Hagan, President of U.F.O.A.

Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) is a union for lieutenants, captains, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, medical officers and supervising fire marshals in the New York Fire Department.

 

“We’re more than confident that the interests of all New Yorkers and working families will be well-represented with Ben Kallos in the City Council,” said I.A.T.S.E. Local One President James J. Claffey Jr. and we’re pleased to offer him our full support and endorsement."

Local One of The I.A.T.S.E is the oldest entertainment union in the United States and the premier stagecraft local in the world, representing more than 3,000 members throughout Manhattan,Staten Island,The Bronx, Westchester and Putnam Counties.

“As a union-side Attorney, Ben Kallos has stood up for workers – the same values and work ethic we’re confident he’ll bring to the City Council.  He has demonstrated that he is someone we can trust to stand up for the right to fair wages and more,” said Business Manager of UA Plumbers Local no. 1 John J Murphy.

Plumbers local 1 members work in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors of the construction industry. Their members are required to graduate from the United Association certified and accredited Joint Apprenticeship Training Program which produces the best journeymen in the country.

"We know that Ben Kallos will be an effective and forceful voice for New York's working men and women," said Julie Kushner, Director, UAW Region 9A.  "His commitment to good government, community and ethics are all qualities we seek in our City Councilmembers."

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with members in virtually every sector of the economy. UAW-represented workplaces range from multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private non-profit organizations.

"With a Union Hall on the Upper East Side, it is important to have a labor lawyer and workers’ advocate as our nominee for City Council. We look forward to having his as an important voice,” said John Skinner of Metal Lathers Local 46. 

Kallos, the Democratic nominee in Manhattan's 5th District, served as Chief of Staff to Assembly Member Jonathan Bing, policy director for former Public Advocate Mark Green and executive director to the good government reform group New Roosevelt.
 
Learn more about his run for City Council at BenKallos.com

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