nothin Local 34 Endorses Harp | New Haven Independent

Local 34 Endorses Harp

On the eve of the Democratic Party nominating convention, Mayor Toni Harp received perhaps a more important endorsement for her reelection bid.

The endorsement came from UNITE HERE Local 34, which represents over 3,600 Yale administrative, research, clinical, and clerical workers. It’s the largest of the three Yale UNITE HERE union locals, which support a majority of the members of the Board of Alders and field what’s believed to be the most influential vote-pulling operation in the city.

On the issues that matter to our members, our families and our neighborhoods, Toni Harp has delivered as mayor,” Local 34 President Laurie Kennington stated in a press release. Her commitment to working people has been very visible to union members who live and work in New Haven.”

Her efforts to get our high-school kids college credits or skills training in trades make a real difference for our families,” the release quoted Local 34 Chief Steward Barbara Vereen as saying. My son will graduate from George Washington University and we saved $68,000 in college tuition thanks to credits he was able to get while still in high school.” The release also cited Harp’s YouthStat program, which concentrates on helping kids in trouble stay in school and out of jail; expansion of a youth summer meals program; and her support for the New Haven Works job-referral agency.

The UNITE HERE-backed alders have been at odds with the Harp administration on some issues this term. But at recent endorsement events for alder candidates both Harp and some of the alders have spoken about how they’re in general working together toward common goals.

Harp is seeking a third two-year term. Marcus Paca is challenging her for the Democratic nomination. The Democratic Town Committee holds its nominating convention beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Career High School.

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