The Amalgamated Transit Union, including CT Transit workers from New Haven, has endorsed Susan Bysiewicz, the party-endorsed candidate for lieutenant governor in an Aug. 14 primary. Bysiewicz submitted the following piece about it.
Connecticut is at a pivotal moment, and the people we choose to elect this year will help determine whether we have an economy that works for everyone. That’s why I’m running for lieutenant governor: To fight for working families and ensure that our state becomes a place where our kids and grandkids can get a good-paying job, and raise their families here, too.
In order to grow our state’s economy, and to fix our difficult fiscal outlook, the next governor and lieutenant governor are going to have to work together to make tough choices. That means we’re going to have to bring everyone together to share in sacrificing for the greater good of our state and its future.
But let me make one thing clear: Our state’s future doesn’t include attacking hardworking labor unions and working families, many of whom have already made sacrifices when it comes to salary and benefits (e.g., increased pension contributions, five-year pension averaging, lifetime averaging for mandatory overtime, etc.) over the past decade.
These sacrifices made by union members and working families in Connecticut have saved the state billions of dollars not only in the short-term but for the long run.
As a state representative, and as secretary of the state, I have a proven track record of standing up for union members and working families.
That’s why the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) — which includes New Haven-based CTTransit bus operators and mechanics — representing nearly 2,000 active and retired members, in both public and private employers throughout Connecticut, support my candidacy to serve as lieutenant governor.
When it comes to this election, the choice between parties couldn’t be starker. Republicans want to blame union members and working families for our state’s fiscal mess. But let’s remember that what they’re really doing is attacking the police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and others who help to make our lives — and our state — better each and every day.
As your lieutenant governor, I will continue fighting for working families and protecting hardworking union members across our state. In addition, I will work hard to create and bring good-paying jobs to Connecticut, improve our state’s infrastructure, ensure equal pay for equal work, and expand access to higher education.
By working together, we can win this election in August and November, and make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Susan Bysiewicz, does not recognize the word defeat.