SEIU 32BJ Endorses Mayor Fulop for Re-Election

Brown Calls Fulop “Progressive Choice Who Will Fight For the Working Class”

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Mayor Steven Fulop today received the endorsement of SEIU 32BJ, one of the state’s leading labor unions representing over 175,000 service workers including thousands of local residents. Union leaders including SEIU 32BJ Vice President and State Director Kevin Brown and local workers discussed Mayor Fulop’s critical early support of worker-backed initiatives like a $15 minimum wage, earned sick leave and more, in addition to his partnership with local employees to fight for better working conditions, pay and benefits.

“Working families are integral to the foundation of our city, and as Mayor I am committed to protecting workers’ right to unionize, to prioritizing labor rights in all aspects of city government and to adding my voice to the fight for higher wages, stronger benefits and fairer working conditions,” said Mayor Fulop. “Service workers have been some of those hit hardest by COVID-19, and now more than ever we must stand up for those members of our community whose work is so important, and who are so often overlooked. I look forward to working with SEIU 32BJ to keep fighting for all of Jersey City.”

Over the course of his two terms, Mayor Fulop has proven repeatedly to be a champion for unions and workers. On issue after issue he has stood up for workers first policies, in many cases as one of the first Democrats in the state to do so. Mayor Fulop worked to guarantee earned sick leave, making Jersey City the first in the state to adopt the progressive policy. He was also an early champion for a $15 minimum wage, and this summer increased the minimum wage for city employees in Jersey City to $17 an hour, significantly benefiting low wage workers who have been some of the most impacted by the pandemic.

“Mayor Fulop understands that service workers are the backbone of Jersey City,” said Kevin Brown, Vice President and NJ State Director, SEIU 32BJ. “As Mayor, he works tirelessly and diligently to protect and uplift working families. He has always been there for us and we are confident he will continue to champion the issues and causes important to all service workers. Mayor Fulop’s heart is with New Jersey’s working people and it shows in his policies and practices. We are proud to endorse and support him in his reelection campaign and we will work hard to ensure he is victorious. We look forward to continuing working together towards getting us out of the pandemic, and rebuilding our economy.”

In addition to advocating for progressive policies, Mayor Fulop has consistently stood up for workers in their fight for fair pay and safe working conditions. After hearing from building workers that their rights were being violated, Mayor Fulop made the decision to terminate the tax abatement for four buildings in The Beacon Community when the developer failed to adequately ensure fair conditions including paid leave and benefits.