“These women and men vowed to fight for good jobs for New London’s working families,” said Stephanie Johnson, a sleep lab technician at Lawrence & Memorial (L&M) Hospital and president of AFT Local 5051. “When they sat down with us and asked for our support, they pledged to put our community’s needs ahead of special interests. That’s the kind of candidate I’m proud to support,” said Johnson, who leads one of three AFT-affiliated local unions representing 1,600 employees at L&M Hospital.
The city council challengers receiving endorsements are Dual Language & Arts Magnet Middle School teacher Efrain Dominguez Jr. , New London Police Community Relations Committee member Erica Richardson, and former Mitchell College art history teacher Laura Natusch. The endorsed city council incumbents are President Michael Passero, President Pro Tempore Wade Hyslop, and Education Committee Chair Anthony Nolan. For Board of Education, the federation endorses incumbent and current President Margaret Mary “Peg” Curtin, who is also a retired member of the AFT-affiliated A&R Local 4200.
“We are proud to have the endorsement of hardworking, dedicated individuals who give so much to our community through their outstanding work,” said Richardson on behalf of the city council candidates. “We want to work just as hard for you and all residents of New London to provide a city with good stable jobs for our families. We believe these are the cornerstones to a strong, healthy community,” she said.
Candidates for municipal office completed questionnaires beginning in August on a series of policy issues important to the members of AFT’s local unions and their communities. Members of the federation’s legislative and political action committee reviewed the responses and made recommendations for endorsements in the 2013 General Election to its executive committee.
“A political endorsement is a decision we do not take lightly,” said Melodie Peters, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and former state senator from the region. “It’s not about picking the politician who can make the best promises. It’s about choosing the men and women who have the best potential to fulfill the real promise of public service,” said Peters, president of AFT Connecticut.
AFT Connecticut is a labor federation of 29,000 hard-working teachers and school support staff, nurses and healthcare workers, higher education faculty and public service workers from more than 90 local unions throughout the state. Follow the union on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aftct.
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