A union representing Burlington city employees endorsed mayoral candidate Carina Driscoll, saying that incumbent Mayor Miro Weinberger isn’t representing workers from city hall.
It’s the first time “in a very long time” that the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees has endorsed a candidate for mayor, union president Karl LaBounty said at a press conference Wednesday.
“This year we felt that it was a time to stand up again,” LaBounty said.
The AFSCME Local 1343, Council 93 union includes more than 200 workers from the Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department; the Department of Public Works; the library; the airport; the city clerk and treasurer’s office; the Community and Economic Development Office; as well as staff from the Burlington school district.
Driscoll announced the endorsement to an audience of one — this reporter. Half a dozen public works employees surrounded her during the event on the steps of city hall.
LaBounty, a maintenance worker for the Burlington school district, criticized the city for what he called its slow response to worker safety violations last June. A Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector found that city employees working on pipes in the street had not properly shored up the walls of a trench more than five feet deep. The state fined the city $44,000 for the violation.
According to DPW workers, the city’s response has been inadequate. The union said it has been unable to establish a worker safety committee, and claimed that the city posted a job for a safety officer — then removed it without hiring for the position.
“When we find a problem … you can’t expect our workers to be in jeopardy for a long period of time,” said LaBounty. “We need speedier service.”
If elected, Driscoll promised to “make sure that city workers are empowered to make decisions that affect working conditions, including the ability to manage their own safety measures,” she said in prepared remarks Wednesday. She also said that she would work to uphold the city’s livable wage ordinance and support policies that allow lower-wage workers to contribute less to health insurance premiums.
The Progressive Party backed Driscoll, as did progressive advocacy organizations Rights & Democracy and Our Revolution.
Weinberger has earned endorsements from the city firefighter and police unions, as well as the Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council, which includes unions for plumbers and electrical workers.
Infinite Culcleasure is also in the race for the Queen City’s top job. Town Meeting Day is March 6.
*The headline of this story was updated on February 15, 2018.
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“Oh and my source for the unanimous vote is the candidates Facebook page..”
Well, Mr. Salem, according to three comments after yours (local AFSCME union members), looks like “the candidate’s Facebook page” is wrong.
Sounds like this ginned up, to-down, undemocratic “endorsement” may have been the work of the Sanders machine.
Below is the article about the fine. It was not equipment related but mistakes by employees.
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/arc…
I am a member of this Union, let me be perfectly clear. I was never consulted, there was NO VOTE on this. Not one of my co-workers (also fellow union members) was even aware that this was the position of the union. So to say that the union UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTS this candidate is a false statement.
This is an ALL OUT LIE. The AFSCME union never asked the members about the candidates, they never met other than the executive committee session to decide on a candidate. I am a AFSCME member of the city and no one in our group or office was ever asked about any endorsement of a candidate. Also, The fine was for a dirt pile violation, not an equipment violation. I would encourage Channel 5 and seven days to do a public records request to the to the truth about the violation. If our union president wants to spew lies then maybe he shouldn’t be president.
I don’t how this was a unanimous vote when a lot of us didn’t even know that there was a vote.
knowyourassumptions: Sadly my political analysis in 7Days doesn’t pay the bills, so i couldn’t make the presser. Oh and my source for the unanimous vote is the candidates Facebook page.
This endorsement is telling. The current administration is contemptuous and dismissive of working people, their working conditions, wages, rents, neighborhoods, home owners– the list continues, It’s focus is on over-development (not smart growth at all) and paving over for profit as much of the city as proves possible.
For whatever reason, SevenDays neglected to mention that this chapter of AFSCME that endorsed Carina Driscoll includes the Burlington Police and Fire Department civilian employees. That would be the emergency communications specialists (dispatchers), records, ID, parking enforcement and others.
As long as there are two candidates to the Left of Miro ( it isn’t hard to get to the Left of Miro) Miro and the Chamber of Commerce will win.
So enjoy the view of the lake and the Adirondacks and the sunshine in the afternoon because once Miro and his arrogant high rise development gets done you will not be able to see any of those things.
Seriously, only one person, the reporter who wrote this story for 7D, showed up for Ms. Sanders, oops, I mean Ms. Driscolls, press conference on the steps of Burlington City Hall? No one from the Burlington Progs? No one from the Free Press? No one from radio or TV? No one from Alleged Rights and Democracy? No one from the North End News? No one from Take The Mural Down? Not even Adam Salem? Cmon!