Pat Jehlen Secures Union Endorsements

State Senator Pat Jehlen is pleased to announce she has the support and endorsements of numerous labor organizations representing working people. These unions cover a broad coalition of job fields, including janitors, health care workers, laborers, building trades, teachers, firefighters and municipal employees.

“I am proud to have the support of organized labor,” Jehlen said. “I began my career as a community organizer, supporting working people who are struggling to make ends meet. I will continue my advocacy for unions, as I have my entire life.”

Unions already supporting Jehlen include: American Federation of Teachers, Boston Teachers Union, Bricklayers Local 3, International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators, IBEW Local 2222, Mass Teachers Association, Medford Firefighters, Professional Fire Fighters of MA, SEIU State Council, SEIU 32BJ, 509, 888 and 1199, Somerville Firefighters, Somerville Municipal Employees Association, Teamsters Local 122, and United Auto Workers.

“Our support is based on your commitment and record as an advocate for working families and the labor movement,” Cliff Cohn, President of SEIU Mass State Council, said of Jehlen. “That’s why we’re confident that the issues of working people – good jobs, affordable health care, child care and housing, education and training, and fair and adequate tax revenues – are your issues.”

“You are truly a defender and a dedicated worker for peace, social justice and equality for all working men and women,” said Bricklayer’s Local 3 President Charles Raso. “We pledge our friendship, our support and our hard work in making your election a success.”

Jehlen has an extensive track record of supporting organized labor and working people. Most recently, she has supported the fight for $15 an hour minimum wage, a Parental Leave bill that became law last year, paid sick days for employees in Mass, and an equal pay bill that passed Senate in January and is scheduled to pass the House this week. She opposes so-called “right to work” laws that attempt to cripple organized labor’s ability to represent themselves.

Jehlen’s history of labor support began when she first graduated from college and worked as a community organizer helping low income residents organize. Her strong advocacy for worker safety led to the passage of a bill protecting floor finishing workers in 2010 and the first reform of child labor laws since the 1930s passed in 2007. Over her 25 years in the House and Senate, her labor record is 94.38%.

– Submitted by State Senator Jehlen’s re-election campaign