Labor Working for Rangel

Press Conference Highlights Labor's Grassroots Efforts on Behalf of Congressman

ALBANY, NY (09/10/2010)(readMedia)-- Today at a press conference on the steps of City Hall, labor leaders highlighted a massive member-to-member grassroots initiative in support of Congressman Charlie Rangel's re-election campaign.

Congressman Rangel was endorsed by the 2.5 million member New York State AFL-CIO last month at the State Labor Federation's political convention.

New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes stated, "Labor's greatest strength is its ability to activate its membership. Hundreds of union volunteers will be taking to the streets in Congressman Rangel's district, handing out flyers and visiting other union members to discuss this important campaign. We are in the homestretch of this primary race, and labor will leave no stone unturned in its effort to re-elect Charlie Rangel."

Jack Ahern, President of the New York City Central Labor Council said, "Congressman Rangel has been a fierce champion for all working people his entire life, and we need him and his leadership now more than ever to fight for our fair share and rights in Washington. The New York City Central Labor Council will be mobilizing our strong base of union members to out get-out-the-vote every day through Election Day in the Fifteenth Congressional District to send our friend Charlie Rangel back to Washington. He deserves our full support, and he's got it."

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 state 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."

Labor's grassroots effort includes mailings to its members in the district, worksite flyers and phone bank operations. In addition, labor will implement its "labor to neighbor" program, where union members visit other union members to discuss a particular race. Through primary day, labor will send out more than 50,000 flyers to union members in the district.