Another Union Backs DeStefano

Mary O'Leary, New Haven Register April 28, 2006

NEW HAVEN - The statewide Communications Workers of America Thursday became the latest union to endorse New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. for governor, moving his total to 30, which represents some 120,000 workers.

DeStefano's goal is to unite labor behind his candidacy as he seeks the Democratic Party's nomination for the top job, which holds its convention in less than a month.

He is running against Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, who has the backing of seven local unions which his campaign said represents about 15,000 workers.

John Olson, state president of the AFL-CIO, attended Thursday's press conference and said DeStefano has already gotten endorsements from about half of the unions in his federation - a labor body that speaks for some 170,000 workers.

To nail the state AFL-CIO backing takes a two-thirds vote of the organization, which holds its convention June 26, but a vote by its Committee on Political Education at the end of May could indicate if it will happen.

"It could be a close vote on the two-thirds," Olson said, but mathematically, Malloy and GOP Gov. M. Jodi Rell are out of the running.

"He's (DeStefano) further along than anyone has been to reaching it, but it's not an easy task," Olson said. "In my 18 years, we have never endorsed statewide."

"But there is no doubt that you right now have 30 energized unions out there working into a primary and into a general election for John DeStefano," Olson said.

Still outstanding are some big unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, with 38,000 workers, and the American Federation of Teachers, with 21,000 members.

DeStefano says the last time labor united behind a gubernatorial candidate was William O'Neill's re-election in 1986.

"We are going to stand up in this election for the right to work, the right to a fair day's wage, the right to health care benefits," DeStefano said.

Christopher Cooney, spokesman for Malloy, said the Stamford mayor has always worked closely with labor.

"We believe at the end of the primary, not only will all Democrats come together behind the party's nominee, but the labor unions will as well," he said.

The value of the unions is not the endorsement per se, but getting workers to campaign for a candidate.

William F. Henderson, president of Local 1298 of the 5,400- member CWA, said they are backing DeStefano because he understands the economic pressures facing families today and will work to bring quality jobs to the state.

Local 1298 had backed DeStefano months ago, but withdrew it when new leadership emerged, giving both candidates a second shot at its endorsement.

"John understands the issues facing the working man and the No. 1 issue he understands is health care. We can't have health care provided in the emergency room," Henderson said.

DeStefano has offered a universal health care plan which uses tax incentives to encourage businesses to buy into it, while Malloy would attack the problem of the uninsured by first covering the 71,000 children who lack it.

"We are seeing quality jobs leaving the state and being replaced by Wal-Mart jobs - jobs that are low paying jobs with no future. This is why we need a person of vision like John DeStefano to lead us into the 21st century," Henderson said.

Both Malloy and DeStefano are working hard to bring the uncommitted delegates into their camps as the May 20 Democratic convention draws near.

But no matter who clears this first hurdle, there is no doubt there will be a Democratic gubernatorial primary Aug. 8.

Mary E. O'Leary can be reached at 789-5731 or moleary