The United Auto Workers Region 9A endorsed Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, and Jessica Ramos for the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, urging members and the public not to rank Eric Adams on their ballots. The endorsement process involved members’ input and focused on candidates’ support for collective bargaining and union rights. The endorsed candidates have shown support for the union on various issues. The union emphasized the importance of selecting candidates aligned with the working class and rejecting Eric Adams in order to bring about positive changes for working people in the city.
In a significant move, the United Auto Workers Region 9A has officially endorsed three left-leaning Democratic mayoral candidates for the upcoming primary in New York City. The candidates endorsed are Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and state Sen. Jessica Ramos. The union highlighted these candidates as strong advocates for the working class, having collaborated closely with them on various issues such as housing, student loan forgiveness, and criminal justice reform.
The endorsement explicitly called on its members and the public to not rank Eric Adams on their ballots. This decision was influenced by concerns over Adams’ stance on issues like cuts to 3-K programs, rising rent, and cost of living. The union, which represents public defenders, museum staff, and academics, emphasized the importance of supporting candidates who prioritize protecting collective bargaining rights and supporting union members.
UAW Region 9A, which includes locals in New England, New York City, and Puerto Rico, covers workers across diverse industries. The endorsement process involved input from rank-and-file members, who were given a greater say in the decision-making process. Members were surveyed on their priorities, and candidates were asked to share their visions on various issues such as rent, affordability, and tax reform.
Apart from policy questions, candidates were also asked about their commitment to purchasing UAW-made vehicles. Both Lander and Mamdani expressed gratitude for the union’s support and highlighted their shared goals of promoting affordability, protecting workers’ rights, and preventing evictions. Ramos, while appreciative of the endorsement, stopped short of indicating whether she would rank Lander or Mamdani on her ballot.
The union’s endorsement comes following recent actions by the candidates to support workers’ rights, such as attending a walkout by Mercedes-Benz auto mechanics protesting against the management’s anti-union behavior. The union’s decision not to immediately rank the endorsed candidates allows room for adjustments as the primary progresses over the next seven months.
The primary message from the union is to focus on defeating Eric Adams and electing candidates who can bring about positive changes for working people in the city. The candidates endorsed by the union are seen as potential agents of change to address issues like corruption and quality of life concerns in New York City. By rejecting Adams and supporting candidates aligned with the working class, the union aims to empower voters to make informed choices for the future of the city.
Source: TheCity.NYC
