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AFSCME 264 Endorsement

For Immediate Release

August 22, 2009

MAYOR BROWN RECEIVES AFSCME LOCAL 264 ENDORSEMENT FOR RE-ELECTION

Union Representing Over 1,000 Workers in the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and Buffalo Board of Education Highlights Mayor’s Conservative Fiscal Management and Success in Negotiating Union Contracts

BUFFALO – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 264 has announced its endorsement of Mayor Byron W. Brown for re-election as Mayor of the City of Buffalo.

In an August 20th letter, Local 264 President William Travis wrote, “Mayor Brown has placed Buffalo on sound financial ground and improved the city’s bond rating several times in his first term. He has established a surplus to offset an emergency situation or a reduction in state aid.”

President Travis also noted the Mayor’s effort to put the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority into an advisory state due to the city’s significantly improved fiscal health and he added that Mayor Brown “has been the lead person in establishing city labor contracts with our members and continues to work with us in regards to our members working without current contracts.”

Mayor Brown expressed his thanks in receiving Local 264’s endorsement for re-election by saying, “I have always worked to establish fair contracts for the dedicated working men and women of organized labor, who have made significant contributions to our city, state and country. When I took office I set a priority of fulfilling my 2005 campaign pledge to lift the previously state control board-imposed wage freeze for all city employees, which allowed us to increase employee wages, bringing all full-time city employees up to the living wage and negotiated four new union contracts for city employees, including the members of Local 264. I thank the over 1,000 members of Local 264 for their confidence in me and the work my Administration continues to do in moving the City of Buffalo toward greater fiscal stability, increased investment, fair contracts for all city employees and a better quality of life for all of our residents.”

In addition to the support of the Local 264, Mayor Brown has received the endorsement of the Buffalo Teachers Federation; SEIU Local 200 United; Building Trade Inspectors Association Local 2651; AFSCME Local 650; Boilermakers Local # 7; the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 14; the Buffalo Building & Construction Trades Council; the Western New York Chapter of the Working Families Party; the Erie County Independence Party; the Erie County Conservative Party; the Western New York Hispanic & Friends Association; Goin’ South; and the Buffalo Educational Support Team.

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