Western New York labor leaders today affirmed their strong support for Democratic Erie County Clerk candidate Melissa Hartman, who vows to end the poor management, partisanship, and nepotism that have defined the clerk’s office under incumbent Michael Kearns.
“When a county clerk dismisses the concerns of employees and refuses to abide by the letter and spirit of labor contracts, the public and taxpayers ultimately pay the price,” said Denise Szymura of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 815–which has filed grievances against Kearns over health care benefits and his excessive reliance on part-time staff.
Kearns was also heavily criticized earlier this year for hiring his cousin to fill the second-highest paying job in the clerk’s office and has frequently used his position as a platform for blatantly political statements.
Kearns’ blatant disregard for the wellbeing and livelihood of county employees and, subsequently, its residents has paved the way for a stronger, fairer and kinder candidate to restore a healthy working environment at the Erie County Clerk’s office–Melissa Hartman.
“CWA stands proudly and firmly with our brothers and sisters in organized Labor in support of our endorsed candidate, Melissa Hartman, confident she will return integrity and professionalism to the Erie County Clerk’s office,” said Debora Hayes, District 1 Area Director for Communications Workers of America.
“I think Melissa will be a breath of fresh air in county government,” Tasha Johnson, medical assistant at Oishei Children’s Hospital and member of Service Employees International Union. “We endorsed Melissa because we feel she is the best candidate for the job and we plan to do whatever it takes to get her elected.”
“The UAW is proud to support Melissa Hartman for County Clerk,” said Jimmy Lakeman, International Representative for Region 9 of the United Auto Workers. “After interviewing both candidates, [we] feel that Melissa is the candidate that will restore the integrity of the Clerk’s Office. She is the candidate that is committed to making the Clerk’s office a workplace free of harassment and will abide by the [collective bargaining agreements] with the county unions.”
Hartman overwhelmingly defeated Kearns in the June 28 Democratic primary and will also appear on the Integrity Party line.
She is currently Eden Town Supervisor and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University at Buffalo, where she previously served as Assistant Director of Operations for Undergraduate Admissions.
“Growing up in Hamburg, I had many friends and neighbors whose livelihood depended on the Lake Shore Road Ford plant and the power of collective bargaining,” Hartman said. “In my own career in education, I was proud to join with my union brothers and sisters and I saw firsthand the strength that comes from standing in solidarity.
“Unions forged the American middle class and they remain the heart and soul of our local and regional economies. From transportation to health care–they are the backbone of our community and in times of emergency, such as the pandemic, they are on the front lines.
“I am proud to be the labor candidate in this campaign and look forward to calling the men and women of labor my partners as we transform the Clerk’s office next year,” Hartman said.
For more information about Hartman and her campaign, go to electmelissahartman.com and visit her social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, with early voting running Saturday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Nov. 6.
