Labor Movement Is Working for Rangel

New York State AFL-CIO Coordinating Grassroots Campaign on Behalf of Congressman

ALBANY, NY (08/26/2010)(readMedia)-- The 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO is coordinating a massive member-to-member grassroots initiative in support of Congressman Charles Rangel's re-election campaign.

The State Labor Federation announced its endorsement of Congressman Rangel at its political convention on August 16th.

Labor's grassroots effort includes mailings to members, worksite flyers and phone bank operations. In addition, labor will implement its "labor to neighbor" program, where union members visit other union members in the district to discuss a particular race.

Through primary day, the labor movement will have hundreds of volunteers working on the Congressman's campaign, and will send out more than 50,000 flyers to union members in his district.

New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes stated, "Working men and women have no greater champion for their cause than Congressman Rangel. The labor movement will utilize all resources at its disposal to ensure that our friend returns to Congress, where he can continue to lead the fight on behalf of the needs and concerns of working people.

"Whether it has been shepherding through passage of historic health care legislation, authoring Empowerment Zone legislation, or leading the fight for affordable housing and 9/11 legislation, no one has worked harder than Charlie Rangel to improve the lives and well-being of working men and women. So rest assured that labor will be relentless in its efforts to return Congressman Rangel to Washington, where he can continue to advocate for those who need his help the most."

Upon receiving labor's commitment to work on his behalf, Congressman Rangel stated, "I have stood with organized labor and with working people all my life, and now it is even more important to do so as we undertake the task of putting America back to work. I am so proud that the leaders of labor across the board are now standing with me in my re-election campaign. Together we have made a difference. Together we will continue to make a difference."

The New York State AFL-CIO represents 60,000 members in Congressman Rangel's district.