NYSUT, 1199SEIU, PEF, Hudson Valley and Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Councils Among Labor Unions Strongly Backing Hinchey for State Senate

KINGSTON, NY – Senator Michelle Hinchey today announced that 19 labor unions, including the AFL-CIO, are strongly endorsing her re-election to the New York State Senate, crediting her leadership on critical issues for union members and their families, including fair wages, essential benefits, and safe workplaces. Hinchey retains her clear position as the favored labor candidate in the race to represent the 41st Senate District, which includes all of Greene and Columbia Counties, most of Ulster County, and Northern Dutchess County.

Today’s endorsements include New York State AFL-CIO, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Public Employees Federation (PEF), Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council, Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 (UFCW Local 1500), International Union of Operating Engineers Local 158, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 236, New York State Conference of Operating Engineers, Laborers International Union of North America Local 17, Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation (HVALF), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 66 (AFSCME Council 66), and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

“Union values are my values. I grew up in a proud union family and have seen firsthand the role that unions play in building strong communities and creating opportunities that help families get ahead,” Senator Michelle Hinchey said. “To have the robust support of Labor in this campaign is a testament to our record of delivering results for working people and families across our region. I’ll always be a voice for New York’s working families and a fighter for the unions that represent them.”

Hinchey previously announced that she has been endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of NYS), New York State Nurses Union (NYSNA), Communications Workers of America (CWA), and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters in her re-election campaign for the 41st District.

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “The New York State AFL-CIO is proud to support Senator Michelle Hinchey to represent the 41st Senate District. Her support of labor standards in combating climate change, combined with her sponsorship of a bill to uphold collective bargaining agreements, demonstrates her commitment to strong worker protections and unionization rights for all workers. We look forward to educating and engaging our members to ensure a victory for Michelle Hinchey on election day.”

NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said, “Senator Hinchey knows the importance of the role strong public schools play in rural areas and is a fierce advocate for unions across our state. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Hinchey in forging a brighter future for our children.”

1199SEIU Political Director (Hudson Valley/Capital Region) Maurice Brown said, “1199SEIU members in the 41st Senate District are enthusiastic in their support for Michelle Hinchey. Her record says it all: she recognizes and values the sacrifices made by essential healthcare workers and knows how important it is that our voices are heard. She has stood by our side every step of the way—we know we can count on Senator Hinchey. She shares our vision for improving our communities so that everyone has access to affordable healthcare, good jobs and affordable housing. We look forward to our continued work together for social and economic justice for all."

NYS Public Employees Federation (PEF) President Wayne Spence, said, “The NYS Public Employees Federation is proud to endorse Senator Michelle Hinchey for reelection. In her first term, Senator Hinchey was a true friend of labor, working to pass pension reform and rewarding New York’s healthcare workforce with a bonus for their sacrifices during the pandemic. PEF looks forward to her continued partnership in the ongoing fight for workers’ rights.”

Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council President & Laborers International Union of North America (Local 17) Business Manager Todd Diorio said, "Senator Hinchey is a true supporter of organized labor and on behalf of Laborers Local 17 and the 29 locals affiliated with the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, we are proud and honored to endorse our Senator and friend Michelle Hinchey."

United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1500 President Robert W. Newell, Jr. said, “Senator Hinchey has proven herself to be a champion for our members and all of New York’s essential workers in the urban farming industry. As the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Hinchey is leading the charge with UFCW Local 1500 to expand local food access and raise our industry’s standard with safe, dignified union jobs. Her record of support speaks for itself, and we’re thrilled to endorse her for re-election to the State Senate.”

International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2 President Pat Tirino said, “Senator Hinchey has always been a staunch supporter of organized labor and a friend to the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2 NY/VT. We're very proud to support her campaign for re-election.”

IBEW Local #236 Business Manager Michael Mastropietro said, “As a champion of union workers and the middle-class family, we are confident in Senator Hinchey’s continued commitment to all will only have positive effects in the advancement of organized labor unions, advancement of the middle class, and an upturn for the economy. On behalf of the more than 1,600 members of IBEW Local Union #236, we wish Senator Hinchey luck in her campaign for re-election and look forward to seeing many more amazing accomplishments in her bright future for labor.”

Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council President and International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 158) Business Manager Mike Lyons said, “Senator Hinchey is a true friend of Labor. She works tirelessly for our members and their families, day in and day out. Michelle’s outlook on issues that matter most to our membership and the willingness to discuss our concerns is a refreshing change from so many elected officials. We stand behind Senator Hinchey in her re-election campaign without hesitation because we know we have a true advocate for working people.”

President of the New York State Conference of Operating Engineers, Thomas A. Callahan, said, "The New York State Conference of Operating Engineers is proud to endorse Senator Michelle Hinchey for re-election. Coming from a strong union family herself and legislating with operators like her brothers in mind, it's abundantly clear to our members that Senator Hinchey will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with her union brothers and sisters as they fight for better working conditions and wages across our State."

Sparrow Tobin, President of the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation (HVALF), said, “On behalf of the more than 100,000 members of the Hudson Valley Area-Labor Federation, we are thrilled to endorse Senator Hinchey for re-election. She has strong personal ties to the labor movement and has been a friend and ally to us in the legislature since 2020. We're excited to strengthen this partnership past November and beyond and are fortunate to have her representation fighting on our behalf in the Hudson Valley."

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 66 (AFSCME Council 66) President Dan DiClemente said, “AFSCME Council 66 is pleased to endorse Michelle Hinchey for Senate District 41. Senator Hinchey fought for public services, public sector workers, and the members of AFSCME Council 66. We know that she will continue to be a strong advocate for New York’s working families.”

Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), said, “Michelle Hinchey has made an immediate and impactful contribution to legislative reform during her first term in the NY State Senate. She stood with the RWDSU to support the Warehouse Worker Protection Act and, as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, she has championed important changes to our state’s system of food procurement to ensure that taxpayer dollars support good, family-sustaining jobs. The RWDSU is proud to endorse Michelle Hinchey for re-election and we look forward to continuing to work with her in Albany to deliver for workers throughout New York State.”

Senate District 41 includes all of Columbia and Greene Counties, the towns of Esopus, Hurley, Kingston, Lloyd, Marlborough, New Paltz, Plattekill, Rosendale, Saugerties, Shandaken, Ulster, Woodstock, and the City of Kingston in Ulster County and the towns of Amenia, Clinton, Dover, Hyde Park, Milan, North East, Pine Plains, Pleasant Valley, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Stanford, and Washington in Dutchess County.

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