(BLASDELL, NEW YORK) – Western New York Labor Leaders made it plain and clear Thursday (October 11th), they are “all in” when it comes to supporting Democrat Nate McMurray over indicted Republican incumbent Chris Collins in the 27th U.S. Congressional District Election - but at the same time they urged voters not to vote along party lines - not as a ‘D’ or an ‘R,’ but as a ‘M’ – which stands for the Middle Class.

Right at home inside United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2603’s packed Union Hall on Lakeshore Road in Blasdell - not too far from what was once the bustling Bethlehem Steel Plant where thousands were employed during its heyday - Jim Briggs, the USW Sub-District 4 Director who also serves as President of the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, told those in attendance: “I live in the (27th) District and I’ve ‘not been represented’ (by Collins in Congress).  You ‘can’t elect a millionaire to represent’ Working People.  There ‘has never been a clearer difference between’ Congressman Collins ‘and our next Congressman,’ Nate McMurray.  So I’m asking everyone ‘to vote for the Middle Class.’  Vote ‘M.’  ‘Do the right thing’ for Working People ‘and send a message that we can beat you because we’re voting Middle Class.’”

Backed by a heavy contingent of Steelworkers, Communications Workers of America (CWA), United Auto Workers (UAW), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Teamsters representatives, as well as a number from the Building and Construction Trades, several speakers delivered passionate cases for McMurray, the Grand Island Supervisor whose campaign has taken off since Collins was indicted for insider trading several weeks ago. 

Also on Thursday, it was announced that Collins - who is running for re-election despite the indictment to keep the seat Republican for President Donald Trump, will not stand trial until February 2020 (See the Buffalo News Story, Headlined: Chris Collins To Stand Trial In 2020; Nate McMurray Calls Delay An 'Injustice' at https://buffalonews.com/2018/10/11/judge-sets-feb-3-2020-trial-date-for-collins/).

“From Jamestown to Batavia, today we are announcing our ‘full support for’ Nate McMurray,” said Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz (Pictured Above/WNYLaborToday.com Photos), whose umbrella Labor Organization’s affiliate Member Unions combine to represent 140,000 Workers across the region.  “Every Union within our Federation ‘is in on this.’  We are ‘not (taking this race, despite the district’s heavy Republican base) lightly.’  We ‘intend to work hard for him to beat’ Chris Collins. (Labor) ‘is for’ Social Security, Medicare, ‘good and fair’ wages ‘and we want people in Congress who will defend us in this continued struggle.’  Nate McMurray ‘represents the best possibility to make that a reality.’”

New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured below with USW Sub-District 4 Director Jim Briggs seated to her right), who once served in Congress as the 27th District Representative, also addressed those at the news conference, telling all: “This is ‘my’ neighborhood.  My dad, uncle and grandpa were ‘all’ Steelworkers.  ‘Union blood runs through my veins.’  (When she ran for Congress in the heavy Republican District), Labor ‘never ran away from me - they walked with me,’ across ‘all’ seven counties.  That was a ‘powerful statement’ in a race that was ‘viewed as impossible’ (for a Democrat to win).  We ‘need’ a ‘firewall’ in the House (of Representatives).  We need ‘checks and balances in this GOP world.’” 

With Republicans holding the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate, times have been tough for the Labor Movement under the leadership of GOP President Trump. 

And with the Trump Administration’s continual attack and weakening of a number of Workplace Health and Safety Protections, his National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) now targeting Unions and their Leadership, Republican support for National Right-To-Work (for less) Legislation, their attack on Government Employees’ wages and on Prevailing Wages, and the appointment of Anti-Union/Anti-Worker Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court (see the Janus decision against Public Sector Union Workers) - the Congressional race in the 27th District has now become even more important for a Democrat to win.

And after the recently-completed confirmation hearing of now installed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Bret Kavanaugh, during which sexual assault was alleged - as well as a number of other serious issues, Hochul said: “All I can ‘think of is all the women who are fed up and sick and tired’ (of what is going on in Washington).  ‘Here’s how we win:’ in the (September) Primary, which was held on a Thursday, we broke (voting) records.  In Livingston County there was a (147%) increase.  In other districts, there were (60%, 80%, 90%) increases.  Chris Collins ‘is someone who’s getting his due - once and for all.’  He’s ‘more concerned with tax cuts for his friends than taking care of his constituents.’ This is ‘also about building a firewall against’ Donald Trump.  ‘Lightning will strike in this district - take back that seat for the people of the (27th) District.’”

State Assemblyman Sean Ryan (Democrat) - whose own Assembly District lies within the 27th Congressional District, also spoke: “(Collins) is ‘out of touch.’  ‘His arrogance will send him packing.’  Unions ‘know how to win’ - your Members man the phones, go door-to-door and walk.  You have boot camps ‘to teach’ (your Members what to do).  ‘And I’ve got a sneaking feeling you’ll be doing this all again.’”

Ryan ended with: “Are we going to send Nate to Congress?”

That question was answered with thunderous applause that came from the assembled crowd.

Standing behind a banner that featured just one word: INTEGRITY, McMurray (pictured above) told the Unionists: “I am ‘humbled.’  I ‘know’ your values.  Unions ‘are’ the Middle Class.  The Middle Class ‘is’ America.  ‘And I pledge to defend’ Unions and the Middle Class.  The Democratic Party ‘is’ the Middle Class.  Vote for me ‘because I represent your’ values.  ‘Don’t elect someone who has never been (Middle Class) and is a millionaire.’  ‘Allow me this and I will fight for you because I understand your issues.’  I know that both Democrats and Republicans support me and that ‘we are right where we need to be’ (as of this point of the campaign with a statistical dead heat).  ‘We can’t slip - we need to finish this and I am a finisher, but I need your help.’  ‘I need you to tell your family and friends to vote.’  This race ‘may come down to a handful of votes.’”

With the Democratic Party announcing McMurray and Collins are statistically tied in the race shown by the latest polls at 42% (another 10% are in favor of a running third candidate and the rest are undecided), WNYALF President Lipsitz reminded all that 25% of the voters who live in the 27 District are Members of Labor Unions. 

“This is ‘important work we are doing and I am proud of the unity that we have.’  We’re ‘blessed’ people with only three weeks and five days to go,” he said.