FLUSHING – The Michigan AFL-CIO formally endorsed Gretchen Whitmer for governor today at a press conference held at UA Local 370’s training center near Flint. The state labor federation represents 42 unions and over one million active and retired union members across Michigan.
“Working people in Michigan need a governor who will be in our corner,” said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “That’s why we’re endorsing Gretchen, because she’s a strong progressive leader who’s always had the backs of working families, and she’s the only candidate in this race with a real plan to fix the damn roads and create more good-paying jobs for Michigan. Our members are ready to roll up their sleeves, knock on doors, make phone calls, and get out the vote to help elect Gretchen as our next governor.”
As a progressive leader in the Michigan Legislature, Whitmer helped pass the Healthy Michigan law to expand Medicaid and cover 680,000 more Michiganders, including children, seniors, low-income and working-class families. Whitmer also led the fight against Governor Rick Snyder’s cuts to education and attacks on workers’ rights.
“Working people are the backbone of Michigan, and that’s why I’m so proud to have the support of so many hardworking union members in this race,” said Whitmer. “Michiganders have been working harder and harder, but working people aren’t getting any more money in their pockets. When I’m governor, we’re going to make smart investments to fix the roads, expand access to quality, affordable health care, and create jobs so that every hardworking Michigander gets a paycheck that can actually support a family.”
The Michigan AFL-CIO’s endorsement was approved by a unanimous vote of the executive council following an extensive candidate screening process, which included three town hall forums in Warren, Detroit, and Saginaw, featuring all four Democratic candidates for governor.
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Labor federation endorses Sam Bagenstos, Megan Cavanagh for Michigan Supreme Court
LANSING – Today the Michigan AFL-CIO endorsed Pat Miles for Attorney General and Jocelyn Benson for Secretary of State. Miles is a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, where he was the first to bring charges against former Michigan State University Doctor Larry Nassar. Benson is the former Dean of the Wayne State University Law School, where she froze tuition and expanded access to scholarship funds for all students.
“Michigan’s working families need to elect an Attorney General this year who will have our backs,” said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “As U.S. Attorney, Pat took on powerful interests and won for Michigan families, and as our next Attorney General, Pat will always stand up for working people. This year we also need to elect a Secretary of State who will fight to protect and expand our voting rights to ensure every Michigander has their voice heard in our elections without intimidation or fear of fraud. That’s why we’re proud to endorse Jocelyn in this important race, because she has a real plan to make the Secretary of State’s office faster, more transparent, and more accountable to the people of Michigan.”
The state labor federation also endorsed Sam Bagenstos and Megan Cavanagh today for Michigan Supreme Court. Bagenstos has been a civil rights attorney for more than 20 years. He served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under President Obama, and is now a law professor at the University of Michigan. Cavanagh has over 15 years of experience as one of Michigan’s top appellate attorneys. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School.
“Under the justices that have been appointed by Governor Snyder, Michigan’s Supreme Court has been tilted to favor wealthy special interests over regular working people, and that needs to change,” said Bieber. “We need to elect Supreme Court candidates this year who will fight to build a justice system in Michigan that is open, fair, and treats everyone equally. Sam and Megan are both outstanding candidates with impeccable credentials, and our members are committed to electing them to the Supreme Court this November.”
The Michigan AFL-CIO is planning to announce its endorsement in the race for Michigan governor later this week.
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On January 24, 2018, the Michigan AFL-CIO hosted its 2018 Legislative Convention and gubernatorial town hall on jobs and the economy at UAW Region 1 in Warren, Michigan. Here are a few photos from the day’s events.
At the convention we named Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. and Rep. Winnie Brinks as our Legislators of the Year, and Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones as our Local Elected Official of the Year. You can read more about the awards here.
The gubernatorial town hall was the first in a series of three events the Michigan AFL-CIO will host this year with the candidates for governor. You can read more about the first town hall in the Detroit News and MLive.
Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones named Local Elected Official of the Year
Lansing – Today the Michigan AFL-CIO named Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D-East Lansing) and Rep. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) as its Legislators of the Year for 2018. Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones was also named Local Elected Official of the Year. The awards were announced at the state labor federation’s legislative convention at UAW Region 1 in Warren.
“These awards are all about honoring leaders who get up every day and fight for legislation that helps create good jobs and build a strong economy for Michigan’s working families. ,” said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Michigan’s working men and women are fortunate to have hardworking elected officials like Winnie, Curtis, and Brenda fighting on our behalf each and every day. They each have strong voting records, and they know whose side they’re on. We’re thrilled to honor these dedicated public servants for the important work they do.”
Sen. Hertel was awarded for leading the charge to finally allocate money for the First Responders Presumed Coverage Fund, which provides workers’ compensation and medical coverage for 10 different types of cancer to our first responders. Hertel had a 100 percent voting record on the Michigan AFL-CIO’s 2015-2016 legislative scorecard.
“It is an incredible privilege to be honored by an organization that does so much for the people of this state, and which has spearheaded the fight for better working conditions and fairer wages,” said Hertel. “I will remain vigilant and outspoken in the struggle for social and economic justice, and I am proud to stand in solidarity with the men and women of the AFL-CIO in this fight.”
Rep. Brinks was awarded for her leadership fighting for the men and women living at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Brinks has worked tirelessly to hold Governor Snyder’s administration accountable for its failed privatization at the veterans’ home, and ensure our veterans receive the care they have earned. Brinks also received a 100 percent voting record on the labor federation’s 2015-2016 legislative scorecard.
“I’m proud to be chosen as the Michigan AFL-CIO’s Representative of the Year,” said Rep. Brinks. “Working people in Michigan deserve legislators who will have their backs and work together to build an economy that works for everyone. I will continue to go to work for them every day and I will keep fighting for the things our families need, because that’s how we build a better Michigan for all of us.”
City Council President Brenda Jones was honored for her tireless work on behalf of Detroit’s working families as a leader on the City Council. In her position, Jones has fought to protect our first responders and city employees, and ensure they have the resources they need to serve the people of Detroit effectively and efficiently. Jones is the past president of Communication Workers of America Local 4004.
“As a proud union member, this award means the world to me,” said President Jones. “Now more than ever, we need elected officials who go to work every day and fight for working people, not just the wealthy and well-connected. I’m proud to accept this award, and look forward to continuing our work to build a city that works for everyone.”
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