Teamsters Joint Council 16 Endorses Andrew Cuomo for Mayor
120,000 Members Join Campaign to Save Our City
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, today announced that Teamsters Joint Council 16 has proudly endorsed his candidacy. The union, which represents 120,000 freight drivers and workers in Downstate New York and Puerto Rico, covers many sectors of the economy and whose members work in warehouses, factories, airports, the New York City Housing Authority, and the New York City Department of Sanitation.
“Governor Cuomo’s long running and steadfast support for organized labor, and for the safety and security of working families is well-known and widely respected among Teamsters across the state,” Thomas Gesualdi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16 said. “Under his leadership our members and their families benefited greatly from the work opportunities afforded to them by the numerous construction and infrastructure projects the Governor spearheaded throughout the City. It is a privilege to pledge the support of Teamsters Joint Council 16 and endorse Governor Cuomo as our next Mayor.”
“I'm humbled to have the support of Teamsters Joint Council 16 — the men and women who wake up every day, walk out the door, and keep our city moving, safe, and healthy,” Governor Cuomo said. “They know New York City is in crisis, and that it will take experienced, proven leadership at City Hall to turn things around, make our streets and schools safe, rebuild a strong, union-powered economy, and keep the five boroughs affordable for the middle class. That’s what I did as Governor, and that’s exactly what I’ll do as Mayor.”
The labor endorsement comes after the backing of 1199SEIU - the largest health care union in the country. Teamsters Joint Council 16 joins LIUNA NY, New York State Iron Workers, 32BJ SEIU, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors Local 2507, the New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association, New York City Coalition of the International Union of the Operating Engineers, the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, Teamsters Local 237, Local 3 IBEW, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in endorsing Andrew Cuomo for Mayor.
Throughout his career in public service, Governor Cuomo has been a champion for working New Yorkers. He raised wages for millions and protected the right to organize when the Supreme Court tried to break the back of the labor movement. Governor Cuomo increased access to healthcare, enacted the nation's strongest paid family leave program and expanded apprenticeships, vocational training, and workforce development programs. He also advanced the most substantial infrastructure program in a generation, including the Second Avenue Subway, the Moynihan Train Hall and the new Kosciuszko Bridge and the new JFK and LaGuardia Airports – all major projects built with union labor.
The union joins U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, Democratic Organization of Queens County and Chairman Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., New York State Senator James Sanders Jr., New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Brooklyn Democratic Chair and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Assembly Member Charles Fall, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Assembly Member Erik Dilan, Assembly Member Jordan Wright, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Sam Berger, Assembly Member Vivian Cook, Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Assembly Member William Colton, Assembly Member David Weprin, Assembly Member Edward Braunstein, Assembly Member Clyde Vanel, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Council Member Lynn Schulman, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Council Member Farah N. Louis, Council Member Susan Zhuang, Council Member Darlene Mealy, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, 35 District Leaders across the city, former National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman, the Village Reform Democratic Club, Taminent Regular Democratic Club, American Jewish Congress, 27 NYCHA Tenant Association Presidents, over 95 prominent clergy members, and the Italian American Leadership Council in endorsing Governor Cuomo for Mayor of New York City.
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