Newday article examining Unions who have supported King in the past. Some still back him, but quite a few including the AFL-CIO have bolted and back Mejias. Others have decided not to get into the fra asthey like both. Mejias however does have the advantage of the Union Mobilization efforts.
9quote]
They look for union lable of approval
BY J. JIONI PALMER
Newsday Washington Bureau
November 4, 2006, 10:29 PM EST
WASHINGTON -- In many ways, Seaford Rep. Peter King is an anomaly -- he's a Republican who has been able to count on support from organized labor when he runs for re-election.
The veteran lawmaker, who counts blue-collar union bosses as buddies and allies, has always relied on a sizable chunk of this normally Democratic power base because of his strident support of minimum- and prevailing-wage laws, along with a host of other labor-friendly stances.
But in an election year when the climate is hostile to Republicans because of an unpopular president and war, coupled with lingering concerns about GOP efforts to privatize Social Security, a significant bloc of labor has returned to its Democratic roots.
In a stunning rebuke to King, the New York State AFL-CIO is backing Nassau Legis. David Mejias (D-North Massapequa) after having supported the incumbent in his previous four re-election bids. While King can still count on the support of police, fire and building trade unions, two powerhouse labor groups -- SEIU 1199 and the Civil Service Employees Association -- have chosen not to endorse either candidate.
Additionally, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is split, with some locals backing King, others his challenger, and still others sitting it out.
"It was a tough one for us," said Nick Lamorte, president of CSEA Local 1000, which represents municipal employees on Long Island. "We're friends of both candidates. Either would be good for us on all accounts, so we decided to sit this one out. It was like being Solomon trying to split a baby."
Patrick Purcell, a spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents grocery store employees, said given that both men have good labor records, his union saw no need to break with King based solely on workplace and livelihood issues affecting their membership.
"Peter King, while he's in Congress, has consistently voted for the protection of workers' rights," he said. "If Dave Mejias is elected, we have no doubt he will have an outstanding record on labor issues as well, but the gentleman who is there now has a good record on our issues."
But aside from endorsing King and donating to his campaign coffers, Purcell said his union isn't doing anything special to ensure King's re-election, such as provide election workers -- one of the biggest assets labor has to offer.
"I think ultimately, either way this race turns out, we have a good friend for labor," he said. "We don't think our members are going to be hurt regardless of the outcome of this race."
Bill Duffy, president of Operating Engineers Local 138, which has endorsed King, said his members have been carrying literature for him as they typically do. He said there is no need for an extra push because "the labor people themselves know what he is and what he's meant to them."
By contrast, the unions backing Mejias aren't only educating their members about the two candidates, they're an essential part of his campaign's mobilization efforts in the final days before the election.
"We've been doing this all along very intensively," said Roger Clayman, executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. "Since early in September, we've been going door to door talking to members."
The division among labor is a hindrance to both candidates, who would probably covet unanimous backing. Lamorte said the challenger appears to have a leg up.
"I must say this: Just from a general point of view, I see more unions out for Mejias than I do on the street for King," he said. [/quote]
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-uslabo1105,0,1293459.story?coll=ny-top-headlines
