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District Council 35 Endorsement

For Immediate Release

August 22, 2009

DISTRICT COUNCIL 35, REPRESENTING OVER 1,800 CITY WORKERS, ENDORSES MAYOR BROWN FOR RE-ELECTION

Union Organization Praises Mayor’s Success in Strengthening Buffalo’s Overall Fiscal Health, While Successfully Negotiating Labor Contracts in Good Faith

BUFFALO – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 35, representing members from Locals 650, 2651 and 264 has announced its endorsement of Mayor Byron W. Brown for re-election as Mayor of the City of Buffalo.

In a joint letter from William Travis, President of Council 35, Michael Drennen, President Local 650 and Kevin Fitzgerald, President Local 2651, the union leaders said, “[Mayor Brown] has been instrumental in establishing labor contracts [and] creating a business friendly atmosphere in Buffalo. AFSCME Council 35 looks forward to working with you in the future.”

“It’s a great honor to receive the endorsement of the members of District Council 35,” said Mayor Brown. “The confidence of the leadership and the rank and file members of these great union organizations confirms for me that we have moved Buffalo in the right direction and I’m committed to strengthening further the excellent working relationship I have with these labor groups as I continue my goal of making Buffalo stronger, safer and smarter. I believe the dedicated working men and women of organized labor in the City of Buffalo are equally committed to continuing the progress we’ve made in reducing crime, improving our residents’ quality of life and ensuring that we deliver the best city services to our taxpayers. 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 District Council 35. I thank the over 1,800 members of District Council 35 for their confidence in me and the work my Administration continues to do in moving the City of Buffalo forward.”

In addition to the support of the District Council 35, Mayor Brown has received the endorsement of AFSCME Local 264, 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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