FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       CONTACT: Lynne Kirk

September 29, 2006                                                       PHONE: 800-5-AFSCME

                                                                                        www.afscme13.org

Public Workers’ Union Endorses Rendell

              On September 29, 2006, Council 13 of AFSCME (the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) announced its endorsement of Ed Rendell for Governor.

              At an afternoon meeting of the Statewide Steering Committee, a 27-member panel that votes on the endorsement of state candidates, members voiced concerns about Lynn Swann’s plans to cut state revenues, as well as his support for TABOR – the so-called “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” that would limit state spending to a formula, pitting state and county agencies against one another for funding. Members were also concerned over Swann’s support of “Right to Work” legislation designed to weaken labor unions.

              “When you compare Rendell and Swann side by side, there is no doubt that Rendell is better for public employees,” said AFSCME member Henry Hurt, President of Local 2719 (City of Pittsburgh Employees).

              “We will need the next Governor’s help in protecting public employees in Pennsylvania, and Lynn Swann would definitely not be on our side,” said Council 13’s Executive Director David Fillman.

              Council 13 has also endorsed Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll and U.S. Senatorial candidate Bob Casey, Jr.

              “Bob Casey has been a friend of public employees for decades,” said Committee member Bob Lucas, President of Local 2247 (Indiana Area State Supervisory Employees). “As our U.S. Senator, Bob will provide the ethical, intelligent leadership that has been sorely lacking.”

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AFSCME Council 13 represents more than 65,000 public employees in the Commonwealth (45,000 state employees and 20,000 in Pennsylvania’s counties, townships, boroughs, cities, school districts, healthcare facilities, and human service organizations).