MERCER COUNTY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL VOTES NO ENDORSEMENTS FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS

HAMILTON, NJ – On Friday, May 12^th the Mercer County Central Labor Council voted no endorsements for Assemblyman Dan Benson (14^th Legislative District), Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (16^th Legislative District) and Senator Shirley Turner, Reed Gusciora and Liz Muoio (15^th Legislative District).

“The members of the Mercer County Central Labor Council (MCCLC) have been long time friends of these elected officials and supporters. At our monthly meeting our membership discussed endorsements for the 2017 election season and the membership felt that it was time to take a stand and say no to endorsements for these candidates based on their lack of support for our members,” said Michael Maloney, president Mercer County Central Labor Council and business manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9.

“We feel that by these individuals are not helping to put our members to work. They are listening to environmentalists on issues, like the pipeline and recommendation for closing Duck Island, but are not listening to people who have been supporters and have first-hand knowledge of how the impact will not only impact jobs but energy options to the residents of the State of New Jersey,” said Maloney.

Maloney continued to share “not one of these individuals has offered an alternative plan to putting our members to work or how we are going to replace the energy that was generated out of Duck Island.”

“Elected officials and candidates for political office who do not support the pipeline project will not be endorsed by the Mercer County Central Labor Council. Anyone taking the position against the proposed gas pipeline without merit is therefore denying New Jersey residents employment and the ability to earn a living,” said Michael Maloney.

The Mercer County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is the state federation of labor representing over 50,000 members of 37 local unions throughout New Jersey. The mission of the Mercer County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation.