District Council 37 Endorses NYC Comptroller John Liu for Mayor

NEW YORK, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On May 28, the 300-member Delegate Assembly of District Council 37, New York City's largest public employee union representing 121,000 active members and its Retirees Association, representing 50,000 members, voted unanimously to officially endorse New York City Comptroller John Liu for Mayor. The union's endorsement was announced at a news conference on the steps of City Hall on May 29.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said, "DC 37 members and all New Yorkers face a critical mayoral election this November, which could bring a truly great mayor who will end the current favoritism toward the wealthy 1% and restore government 'for the people'— the poor and working-class people of New York City. A mayor who makes New York City's neglected communities and the public workers that serve them a priority. With last night's vote by our Delegates, DC 37 officially endorsed New York City Comptroller John Liu as the candidate best qualified to be that mayor."

DC 37's endorsement came after a process of careful deliberation and evaluation of mayoral candidates seeking its support, which included an evaluation and recommendation by the DC 37 Screening Committee and the Delegates. Earlier DC 37 also held a Mayoral Forum on May 16, co-sponsored by 15 labor/community partners, where candidates seeking the union's endorsement had an opportunity to speak and answer questions on issues of importance to DC 37 and its labor/community partners before an audience of hundreds of members.

"We evaluated Comptroller Liu's answers to tough questions — both at our Mayoral Forum and from the DC 37 Screening Committee — regarding issues of importance to District Council 37 and the communities our union members serve," said Roberts. "We also looked at his consistent track record of actions to curtail contracting out, overspending and waste of taxpayer dollars throughout his tenure as Comptroller. DC 37 members have been able to count on John Liu's support during our fight to protect vital services and our jobs.

"With DC 37's endorsement of Comptroller Liu," Roberts continued, "comes a pledge to work diligently on his behalf with our powerful, sophisticated field operations to get out the vote. This union has a proven record of successfully supporting our endorsed candidates. We look forward to putting DC 37's mighty army of volunteers into the field to help elect New York City Comptroller John Liu as New York City's next mayor — a mayor who truly believes in government for the people."

District Council 37 is New York City's largest public employee union, with 121,000 members and 50,000 retirees.

Contact:
Zita Allen, Communications Director
Molly Charboneau, Rudy Orozco
(917) 309-2210

SOURCE District Council 37