1199 Backs Schneiderman for AG

by: BingChester

Wed Apr 14, 2010 at 11:17:17 AM EDT

Fresh off his official kick-off for Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman has already landed his first major announcement; the backing of SEIU 1199, one of the bigger and most influential of the New York labor community.  

The leadership of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East has decided to back state Sen. Eric Schneiderman in his bid for state attorney general, the Daily Politics has learned.

"Our decision to do an early endorsement is an indication of how strongly we feel about Sen. Schneiderman's candidacy," an 1199 insider told the DP. "His record on issues important to working familes and his commitment to progressive values makes him the strongest candidate for AG."

1199 is a major player in New York politics.  They are =200,000 members strong in New York are possess a mobilized and active rank and file.  Their support will be key for Schneiderman if he has any hope of expanding his base of support out of New York City and into the suburbs.  Furthermore, 1199's endorsement could open the floodgates for other unions to endorse Schneiderman, who is likely the most progressive AG candidate in the race but could suffer from perceived electability issues.

This is a good grab by Schneiderman.  Let's see if he can keep up the recent momentum.  

1199 Continues Down the Republican Dead-End

by: Roatti

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 23:07:26 PM EDT

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East will announce their endorsement of incumbent State Senator Serphin Maltese for re-election tomorrow...

(snip)

Depending on what 1199 will do for Maltese, this could be very helpful to the incumbent senator. There are many hospitals and health care workers  in the district, and 1199 is not scarce of resources - both in terms of dollars and manpower.

Yes, that's Serph Maltese, the ultra conservatve Republican from Queens.  As usual,
Bouldin puts it best:

EFCA (the Employee Free Choice Act) will create a massive unionization wave among workers at strictly anti-union companies such as Wal-Mart. However, to effectively work, it will need to be accompanied by state-level legislation that expands on and clarifies the meaning of the Act in accordance with the local state-level legal framework. In New York, where we already have strong 9and very territorial) unions, that's not going to be uncontentious.

But what would be catastrophic is having Joe Robach, of Rochester, still sitting as chair of the Senate Labor Committee. His Democratic successor would be Diane Savino, a former high-level union organizer and one of the strongest voices for labor in the state. A Democratic Senate would act on behalf of labor; a republican Senate will not.

Thank God at least one SEIU local isn't wandering around in circles.

Joe Addabbo for State Senate