New Jersey Laborers Union Endorses Kathleen Donovan for Re-Election as Bergen Executive
(Hackensack. N.J.) One of the state’s most powerful unions, the New Jersey Laborers Union, endorsed Kathleen Donovan for re-election as Bergen County Executive today, citing her strong record of reforming county government, encouraging and attracting economic growth, and creating family-sustaining jobs for local residents.
With more than 20,000 members statewide–including 3,000 members of Building Laborers Local 3 and 8,000 members of General and Heavy Construction Laborers Local 472 representing Northern New Jersey–the New Jersey Laborers Union is committing its vast resources to the Donovan re-election campaign.
Laborers Vice-President and Eastern Regional Manager Raymond M. Pocino praised Donovan’s competence and commitment to Bergen County as the primary reason for the union endorsement “Since taking office three years ago, Kathe Donovan has improved county services and crafted policies that help residents and support and attract business,” said Pocino. “Our membership is greatly appreciative of what she has done to help Bergen County move forward.”
Donovan said she is extremely pleased with the endorsement of the Laborer’s union and welcomes the backing of the men and women who build our roads, construct our buildings and represent the families that are the backbone of our communities.”
Donovan, who will be seeking re-election to a second four-year term as county executive, following her 20 year career as Bergen County Clerk, said she will continue to fight for economic growth in the region, citing her support for the construction of the new $330 million LG Corporate Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs and the completion of the $3.7 billion American Dream Projection the Meadowlands. These projects are expected to create 11,000 construction jobs and 16,000 permanent jobs.
“I will continue to fight for good paying jobs in Bergen County and battle for sensible government reforms that help working families,” said Donovan.
According to Pocino, the union had very industry-specific reasons for supporting Donovan. “With regard to the New Jersey Laborers Union’s key industry—construction–Kathe Donovan has shown a keen understanding of the importance of responsible infrastructure investment and has implemented policies that raise both construction and community standards through the use of government policies such as Responsible Contractor Language and Project Labor Agreements.”
With the Bergen County Executive elections less than year away, it is anticipated that hundreds of laborers will volunteer time to the campaign through phone banking, voter registration drives, get out the vote drives, and member-to-member education. The New Jersey Laborers Union backed Kathe Donovan in 2010, as well.
The New Jersey Laborers Union is affiliated with the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), and represents more than 20,000 members statewide in various industries, including construction, clean energy, environmental remediation, sanitation and recycling, security, and education. The New Jersey Laborers are widely viewed as having been instrumental in helping to lift living standards and workplace safety for employees in construction, clean energy, and hazardous materials removal, and for developing innovative cooperative relationships with employers.
