ERIE COUNTY, NY – Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined Richard Lipsitz, President of the WNY Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO along with labor representatives and supporters as he received the endorsement of the WNY Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO at the Tri-Main Building in Buffalo. Today’s endorsement adds to a growing list of union support for the popular Poloncarz, who has instituted policies in Erie County and at the ECIDA that protect public investments while expanding opportunities and supports for local workers.
Richard Lipsitz, President of the WNY Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO said, “The economy of our county is in better shape than it has been in decades, unemployment is lower and wages are up. Furthermore, the population is growing again after 50 years of stagnation, and much of this growth is due to the policies of County Executive Poloncarz. We are also very impressed with the policies in place at the Erie County Industrial Agency, which have been implemented in the past seven years.”
“Finally, Mark has spearheaded some real reforms in county bidding procedures that provide high quality building projects and promote real opportunities for young workers and workers of color through the use of state-approved apprenticeship programs,” Lipsitz concluded. “For all these reasons and more, Mark Poloncarz deserves another term as Erie County Executive.”
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “I am honored to accept the endorsement of the WNY Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO and I thank President Lipsitz, the Executive Board and the Federation membership for their support. I will continue to fight for issues like a living wage, healthcare, and protections for workers. I am proud to have instituted programs that invest our tax dollars in county projects that employ Erie County workers, and also to have been on the lines with local workers facing job cuts. Our friends in labor are the backbone of our community, and I am grateful to the WNY ALF for their support.”
Unions already endorsing Poloncarz include the Buffalo Building Trades Council; Elevator Constructors Local 14; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 41; U.A. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 22; Public Employees Federation-New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO; and International Union of Painters & Allied Trades of America and Canada-District Council #4.
