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Eric Adams Wins Backing Of Building Service Workers, Clinching Three Key Unions
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Mar 11, 2021
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By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Mar 11, 2021
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New York City's union for private sector building service workers on Thursday announced that it was backing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for mayor, marking the third significant labor endorsement for his campaign.
The president of 32BJ SEIU, Kyle Bragg, held a press conference on Thursday with Adams at Brooklyn Borough Hall. The 85,000 members of his union work as airport workers, security officers, doormen and building and school cleaners.
In a statement, 32BJ described itself as representing "an essential workforce of Black, brown and immigrant people," who have served "on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Politico first reported the news Wednesday night, citing three unnamed sources. The story said the union's executive board decided to support Adams "after an internal deliberation during which some factions favored Comptroller Scott Stringer's candidacy." Maya Wiley, who has been endorsed by the city's largest union, Local 1199, was said to also be in talks with 32BJ leaders.
Adams, a former police captain and state senator, has now consolidated labor support among three key unions. On Wednesday, District Council 37, the city's largest municipal union with 150,000 active members, said they planned to throw their support to Adams. That was followed by a nod last week from the Hotel Trades Council, an influential union that represents 31,000 hotel workers.
The union endorsements have come despite the fact that Adams has run as a centrist candidate who has vowed to make budget cuts.
But he has touted his working class roots and career as a Black police officer. He has frequently said that he would be the city's first blue-collar mayor, which would be true, at least, in recent memory.
On Thursday, he reiterated the point when he accepted the endorsement.
“There’s nothing fancy about me. I’m just a blue collar guy," said Adams, speaking to applause. "I know what you want."
With $7.5 million on hand, Adams's campaign currently has the largest war chest in the race. A recent poll of likely Democratic primary voters found Adams second to Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate.
Additional reporting from David Cruz
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mayoral election
eric adams
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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