UNITE HERE Endorses Elliot Spitzer; Union Announces Support at Events in Rochester, New York City

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 -- UNITE HERE announces its endorsement of Attorney General Elliot Spitzer in the 2006 New York State Governor’s race today. The union represents more than 100,000 apparel, textile, hospitality and other workers and retirees throughout the state of New York. The candidate will join UNITE HERE members and leaders at rallies in Rochester and New York City to accept the endorsement of UNITE HERE and its affiliates in the state.

“Elliot Spitzer is one of the most impressive politicians in the nation today, and one of the greatest Attorney General’s in history,” says Bruce Raynor, General President, UNITE HERE. “He stands up for what he believes in, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to stand up with him and support his effort to do even more for the State of New York as our Governor.”

At a rally in New York City at 4 pm today, UNITE HERE Local 6 and the New York City Hotel Trades Council will announce their endorsement of the candidate. Hundreds of members are expected at the rally to show their enthusiastic support of Spitzer for Governor.

“Mr. Spitzer has redefined the office of Attorney General. He has consistently supported working families, while also showing no fear in taking on Wall Street moguls and other big shots,” says Peter Ward, Executive Vice President of UNITE HERE, President of the New York City Hotel Trades Council and Manager of Local 6. “He has fought hard on behalf of exploited workers and consumers. We firmly believe there is no better choice to lead New York State than Eliot Spitzer.”

Upstate UNITE HERE members will show their support at a morning rally with Spitzer in Rochester.

“Elliot Spitzer has fought to keep the manufacturing base that employs so many of our members in upstate and Western New York,” says Gary Bonadonna, vice president of UNITE HERE and Rochester Regional Joint Board manager. “He has fought for us, and now our members are ready to go to work for him. We will be knocking on doors and talking to members in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and everywhere else that there are working people who care about the future of New York State.”

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of UNITE HERE. Their members throughout the state represent all that is good about New York and its people”, said Spitzer. “As I’ve said before, I look forward to working with the statewide labor community to create new and exciting opportunities for New York’s working people and to build an economic model that does not let them down.”

For more information, visit http://www.unitehere.org or call Amanda Cooper at 212-332-9376.

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