Cuomo Endorsed by Teamsters Local 237; Unveils Plan to Increase School Safety Agents Across NYC Schools
“Andrew Cuomo has the know-how to get things done – the greatly improved airports, bridges, train stations and tunnels all attest to that fact. Andrew Cuomo also cares deeply about workers’ rights and Civil Rights and his strong record on both proves it. Whether it’s the increase of the minimum wage, paid family leave, health care benefits for a million people previously uninsured, marriage equality, or free college tuition, Andrew Cuomo has always been on the right side of issues that matter most to us,” Greg Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237
New York, N.Y. – Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, today received the endorsement of Teamsters Local 237 in the general election at an event where Cuomo committed to tackling the crisis caused by a shortage of school safety agents in New York City schools.
“Andrew Cuomo has the know-how to get things done – the greatly improved airports, bridges, train stations and tunnels all attest to that fact. Andrew Cuomo also cares deeply about workers’ rights and Civil Rights and his strong record on both proves it. Whether it’s the increase of the minimum wage, paid family leave, health care benefits for a million people previously uninsured, marriage equality, or free college tuition, Andrew Cuomo has always been on the right side of issues that matter most to us,” Greg Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237, said. “With his historic anti-gun laws and his pledge to increase law enforcement on our streets and in our schools, he demonstrates that as a realistic elected official, and as a responsible parent, he gets it: Nothing is more important than protecting our families. Andrew Cuomo’s commitment to restoring the number of school safety agents from 3,600 to 5,000 further shows his dedication to keeping our children safe. And Andrew Cuomo will do just that! He has our support because he is the right person for these times and will get the job done as no one else can.”
Teamsters Local 237 represents public employees, including public safety agents and NYCHA workers. The number of school safety agents — unarmed, but uniformed New York Police Department employees stationed at schools — has plunged 28 percent over the last five years, from roughly 5,000 to 3,600, according to data from the Independent Budget Office and NYPD. The shortage has made it harder for agents to complete basic tasks, such as perimeter patrols that had been commonplace during school arrivals and dismissals. It also makes it harder to keep campuses open on nights and weekends for extracurricular activities, since agents are often required to be on site.
Cuomo has committed to returning school safety officer ranks to its previous levels.
“There is no bigger responsibility than keeping our kids safe and these hardworking men and women answer the call day in and day out. They need to be put in a position to succeed and these staff shortages have been an unnecessary strain on the ability to do their jobs. That ends under my administration,” Cuomo said. “I thank Teamsters Local 237 and President Floyd for their support and for sharing my vision of a safer and more affordable New York City for all.”
Hiring those additional school safety officers is part of the Governor’s plan to restore public safety, the centerpiece of which is hiring and retaining 5,000 new police officers that will restore the ranks of the NYPD to the same headcount as the Dinkins/Giuliani eras.
###