RWDSU Endorses Bill Thompson for NYC Mayor (7/30/09)

At a press conference at City Hall this afternoon, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum (front right) announced the union's endorsement of New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson (front left) for mayor.

The following is Appelbaum's statement:

I am proud to be here this afternoon with officers and members of the local unions that make up the RWDSU.  And I am even prouder because today we are here to endorse Bill Thompson for Mayor of New York City.

Bill Thompson understands the real New York:

A city where working people aren’t being squeezed, but being crushed.A city where men and women face a daily struggle to make it into the middle-class – and have to hold on by their fingernails once they do.

Bill Thompson understands the city beyond the skyscrapers: a New York that needs quality affordable housing, a New York that needs world-class public schools, a New York that desperately needs good jobs at union wages.

You won’t hear Bill Thompson saying just any job is a good job.   Bill Thompson understands that jobs created in New York City – particularly ones created with government subsidies and taxpayer dollars – must be ones that help build the middle class and our communities.  New York needs jobs with living wages, benefits and dignity in the workplace, not jobs that keep workers in poverty and keep them dependent on government assistance.  

And Bill Thompson's actions back up his words.  In the Bronx, at the Kingsbridge Armory, Bill Thompson has added his voice to those in the community – including the RWDSU’s -- who are saying:  NO! Don’t build here unless you are going to create living wage jobs.   As Comptroller, he has told Wal-Mart they are not welcome here in New York City until they treat their workers right.  

Bill Thompson has spent his entire life demonstrating that government can be made to work for working people.

And just as Bill Thompson has always stood up for working New Yorkers, this year working families in New York are going to stand up for Bill Thompson.
Last year, voters across our country stood up to say it’s time for a change – a time to turn America around.

At the RWDSU , we’re convinced that, in 2009, New Yorkers are ready to do the same.

At the RWDSU, we’re convinced that New Yorkers are ready for a mayor who believes in transforming low-wage jobs into good paying careers.

At the RWDSU, we’re convinced that New Yorkers are ready for a mayor who is going to fight to build a bigger, stronger middle-class.

At the RWDSU, we’re convinced New Yorkers want a mayor who is going to put working people first.

At the RWDSU, we’re convinced that the best choice to be Mayor of the City of New York is Bill Thompson!