WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: The Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council has announced its 2023 November Election Endorsements.  Pictured above, bottom row, from left to right: Noelle Citarella - Niagara County Legislator, 3rd District; Bernadette Smith - Niagara County Legislator, 13th District; Robert Restaino - City of Niagara Falls Mayor; Brian Archie - Niagara Falls City Council; Jim Perry - Niagara Falls City Council; Irene Myers - Niagara County Legislator, 1st District; Sarah Waechter - Lewiston Town Council; and Jeffrey Elder - Niagara County Legislator, 4th District.  Top row, from left to right: Labor Council At-Large Member Mark Printup; Trevor Ganshaw, Labor Council Vice President & Co-Chairman of the Council’s Political Action Committee; Labor Council President James Briggs; and Labor Council Secretary Denise Abbott.   (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(RANSOMVILLE, NEW YORK) – “The ‘common thread’ with all our endorsed candidates is that they, like our Labor Council, ‘are focused on our residents’ quality of life.’  And for Labor to endorse such candidates, ‘they must show they support issues that support the quality of life here in Niagara County,’” Niagara County AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President James Briggs told WNYLaborToday.com as the Council announced its 2023 November Election Endorsements.

During the Labor Council’s monthly meeting that was held last week at the former International Union of Operating Engineers’ (IUOE) Local 463 Union Hall in Ransomville, a number of the Council’s endorsed candidates (pictured above) gathered with local Labor Leaders.

“These candidates ‘realize the role Organized Labor plays in our community,’” Trevor Ganshaw, Labor Council Vice President & Co-Chairman of the Council’s Political Action Committee, told WNYLaborToday.com.  “‘They know Labor isn’t just looking out for our jobs, we’re looking out for the community and making sure there are good paying jobs for everyone.’  ‘They are all Union savvy and very Pro-Union.’  ‘And they are all concerned about the Middle Class.’”

The Niagara Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council announced the following endorsements:

Irene Myers – Niagara County Legislator, 1st District

Noelle Citarella – Niagara County Legislator, 3rd District

Jeffrey Elder - Niagara County Legislator, 4th District

Rich Andres – Niagara County Legislator, 8th District

Bernadette Smith – Niagara County Legislator, 13th District

Robert Restaino – City of Niagara Falls Mayor

Brian Archie – Niagara Falls City Council

Jim Perry – Niagara Falls City Council

Michelle Roman – City of Lockport Mayor

Anita Mullane – Lockport 2nd Ward Alderman

Margaret Lupo – Lockport 5th Ward Alderman

Will Schulmeister – North Tonawanda 2nd Ward Alderman

Darlene Bolsover – North Tonawanda 3rd Ward Alderman

Sarah Waechter – Lewiston Town Council

“Labor ‘has impressed upon them that we have to get away from the concept that it’s in a race to the bottom so people can work and enjoy life.’  ‘And they’ve listened to us.’  ‘If it costs five or ten cents more, we’re better off to pay it if it’s a product made in the United States,’” Briggs said.  “Now, there might be people out there ‘who might not agree’ (with the Council’s endorsements), ‘but we want to make sure people go out and vote.’  Our endorsements ‘mean little if people don’t vote.’  ‘The real deal here is to vote to help the next generation.’”

Added Ganshaw: “‘Local elections are where (Labor) wins because our Members vote.’  ‘I don’t think people realized how these (candidates) agree with our basic principles.’  ‘And I do not care if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, I will support (candidates) who support (Labor’s) issues and I will support you in any way that I can.’”

A majority of those Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s endorsed candidates subsequently submitted brief backgrounds to WNYLaborToday.com on supporting issues important to Organized Labor and Working People across Niagara County:

Irene Myers - Niagara County Legislator, 1st District: Thank You AFL-CIO for your endorsement in the 2023 Election.  As your Niagara County Legislator, I will always be receptive and responsive.  I will continue to support and encourage a career path for those not seeking a college degree into our Trade and Apprenticeship Programs.  By training our youth we build our future and our communities.  I will continue to stand to preserve our history and heritage in our Agricultural Community while seeking economic growth.

Noelle Citarella – Niagara County Legislator, 3rd District (MS, RDN, CDN, IFNCP): I am running for Niagara County Legislator, representing the Third District (Most of LaSalle and part of Town of Niagara).  I am running to represent the people in the District I grew up in and I am raising my family in.  This is my first time running for office, but I have always been interested.  I am looking to do my part to make the community a place people are proud to be a part of and want to stay and start careers here and raise a family here as well.  I am also excited to possibly increase representation of Women in government in Niagara County.  I am a strong Union Supporter.  Both my parents were Union Members their whole (working) careers and I see the value Unions bring to the Worker and Community.  I plan to be a strong voice in the County, working to help advance the priorities of the people in my District.  I think Unions play a vital role in helping build vibrant communities by providing quality jobs that pay decent wages, allow time off with families and provide health care.  I am committed to making my community a better place to live and work.  As County Legislator, I will invest in our people - our most valuable asset, to move us all forward.

Jeffrey Elder - Niagara County Legislator, 4th District: I want to take a moment to express my unwavering support for Organized Labor in our Community and explain why I stand firmly behind this vital sector of our Workforce.  As a Niagara County Legislator, my commitment to Labor Unions and their Members is rooted in a deep belief in fairness, justice and the well-being of our residents.  Organized Labor plays a crucial role in our county's economy and society by ensuring fair wages and benefits, job security, Collective Bargaining, promoting fair wages, etc. As your Legislator, I am here to represent the interests and well-being of every resident in Niagara County, and that includes supporting Organized Labor.  By doing so, we can build a more equitable, prosperous and vibrant community for all.  Thank You for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve you, and together, we can continue to make Niagara County a better place to live and work. 

Dr. Bernadette Smith - Niagara County Legislator, 13th District: Historically, Labor Unions have been the backbone of the American Worker.  Collective Bargaining continues to benefit all Workers (Union and Non-Union) by pulling up whole industries, including wages and safety. Union Members contribute significantly to the economy and well-being of their communities by their civic engagement, donations and attention to charities and their everyday contributions in the form of consumer spending.  Unions have addressed serious workplace issues such as wages, housing costs, benefits, retirement safety, helping to close race and gender wage gaps and contributing to inter-generational mobility.  I am a proud Union Member and proud Union Local and Regional Officer, and support Labor Unions in their mission.

Robert Restaino - City of Niagara Falls Mayor: Our Administration has been committed to improving employment opportunities in Niagara Falls.  From our partnership with the Niagara County Building Trades to develop a Building Trades Training Facility to train the next generation of Union Building Trades to our development of a long dormant sixty acres of land into an industrial park for light manufacturing, we are focused on creating opportunities for Union Jobs in our community.  The City of Niagara Falls is known worldwide as a tourist destination and the hospitality industry is a key component of our local economy - however, as it is currently operated it is a seasonal industry offering limited job opportunities, at best, for the thousands of Workers in that industry.  Our Administration has taken steps to promote the creation of indoor family entertainment so that our ‘tourist season’ is not dependent on weather. With twelve million people living ninety minutes from our City, it is important for Niagara Falls to attract those local and regional guests to our City in the Winter and extend hospitality employment to a full year, living wage job.  To improve our City the first step will be to provide employment options and opportunities, these initiatives by our Administration, will create Union Jobs in construction and operation and afford residents the ability to achieve a better life and real opportunity for home ownership, which builds neighborhoods and creates generational wealth. We believe that while the other activities of local government are important (paving roads, fixing sidewalks, etc.), our Administration feels that the best method to revitalize our City is through the creation of quality Union Jobs for our residents.  I thank the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council for their endorsement and support, and I look forward to working with you in the future.   

Brian Archie - Niagara Falls City Council: In 2015, I became a member of 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  My initial exposure to a Union was lacking in education, leaving me with a sense of resentment.  At that time, it seemed like my sole responsibility was to pay Union Dues without receiving any tangible benefits, even though I wasn't encountering job-related issues.  However, my perspective changed when contract negotiations came into play.  The Union successfully advocated for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) raise and secured various other benefits specific to our hospital.  As time passed and I transitioned to different departments within the organization, I gradually realized the Workers' Rights this Union had fought for extended to all Employees in the facility.  This translated into safeguarding our ability to work in a safe and hygienic environment while earning a fair wage to support our livelihoods.  I am entering this campaign because I am driven by a desire to cultivate a healthier community.  This encompasses efforts to address issues such as clean and affordable housing, equitable access to homeownership, climate justice as an integral facet of health equity, and the creation of jobs that offer sustainable, livable wages.  It is disheartening to witness our cities being neglected, while large corporations in those areas continue to reap record profits.  Organized Labor is actively striving to reintroduce Skilled Trades to our youth and anyone looking for alternative pathways to join the workforce.  They are advocating for safe and healthy work environments and securing decent wages for the jobs we undertake.  There is an urgent call to hold Top-Tier Corporations, much like the United Auto Workers (UAW) Strike, accountable and ensure they pay their fair share.  This is crucial to establish lasting Labor Agreements that guarantee job security and access to the Social Security System upon retirement for generations to come, as well as those in the present.  I firmly believe that our values align.  My mission and the aspirations of our community mirror the relentless pursuit of improvement that Organized Labor undertakes daily.  Our common goal is to continue supporting those on the front lines, striving to bring equity to the most marginalized spaces and individuals, and ultimately creating healthier, more livable communities.

Jim Perry - Niagara Falls City Council: As a former City Council Candidate who ran in 2021 as an Independent Candidate and the former Director of Administrative Services for the Niagara Falls Water Board, I am once again running, this time with the backing of the Democratic Party.  I am a life-long resident of Niagara Falls, having attended local schools and graduating from Trott Vocational High School with a Vocational Diploma in Industrial Electricity.  After graduation, the Vietnam War was still center stage in the U.S., so I decided to enlist in the U.S. Army, to serve my country.  I served during the Vietnam and post-Vietnam period with an Honorable Discharge in 1980.  When I returned to Niagara Falls, I went to work for the City of Niagara Falls Water Department and opened a small business which was sold in 1999.  After a short period with the City of Niagara Falls, I seized the opportunity to go to work with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company where I worked for the next thirty years.  While working as an Operator, I attended local colleges and worked my way up the ranks into an executive position with the corporation to become the Human Resources Manager.  In 2015, I retired from Goodyear.  In early 2017, I was asked to help as the Director of Administrative Services for the Niagara Falls Water Board and secure a Labor Agreement for the organization.  Working with the Local Unions, we secured a new agreement in a matter of just a few months.  It isn’t hard when you do the right thing for all parties concerned.  Among the issues I would like to be addressed are poor accountability by current City Leaders and a lack of total transparency.  Our country was built on people with varying beliefs, values and opinions - coming together for the betterment of the people.  These are ideals I truly believe in.  I also bring more than thirty years of leadership experience in both the private and public sectors as well as serving as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army.  

Michelle Roman - City of Lockport Mayor: The endorsement of the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council demonstrates that we share similar goals and priorities, not the least of which is working together to build up our Middle and Working Class in our communities.  When we stand together, we accomplish so much more.

Margaret Lupo - Lockport 5th Ward Alderman: I am the current 5th Ward Alderperson in Lockport and am running for a complete term in this election.  The Niagara-Orleans Labor Council endorsement means a great deal to me because I stand with our local Workers.  I support the right to a living/local wage.  I have a great deal of respect for anyone working in today’s world and I feel that I can show this as an Appointed/Elected Official by being open to honest fair negotiations. 

Will Schulmeister - North Tonawanda 2nd Ward Alderman: The Niagara-Orleans Labor Council endorsement is very important to me.  In my working career I spent over thirty years as a Union Worker and twenty years in management.  During my years in the Unions, I learned how important Unions were for all Workers - from the bottom to the top.  Protection, training, teamwork and loyalty - not only for the Workers, but for the company as well.  Today the importance of Apprenticeship Training and Safety Training produces Skilled Workers for the future to work alongside the top Workers in their field.  The State and Local Unions that have the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council working alongside them are very fortunate to have them to call upon when needed.  My experience in management will also allow me to show how the other side thinks on different issues.  Bringing both sides together in negotiations is key for success for the Workers and company or State/Local entity.  I look forward to be called upon in any capacity and to be of assistance - if it be walking a picket line, writing a letter or being in negotiations.  I appreciate this opportunity and will be available when needed.

Sarah Waechter - Lewiston Town Council: Please let me begin by first thanking the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council, the Communication Workers of America and United Auto Workers Region 9 for endorsing my campaign for Lewiston Town Council.  These endorsements matter greatly to me because they highlight my ideals as a candidate and as a person.  My ideals were formed at an early age in Flint, Michigan where I learned the importance of the American Worker and Organized Labor.  Due to Organized Labor, Flint flourished with well-paying jobs, a booming economy and societal stability.  It wasn’t until the mid-eighties, when General Motors began its policy of Union-busting and closing plants, that the impact of losing Organized Labor became apparent.  Good paying jobs that were Union-protected began leaving Flint and in its place came a declining economy with a dwindling population.  It was during this downturn (from which Flint has never recovered) that I learned Organized Labor is the backbone of our cities, our country and our society.  We need the strength of Organized Labor to push for better working conditions, better benefits and better wages for the American Worker.  Without Organized Labor, we are resigned to watch the destruction of economies and societies - just like Flint.  It is my commitment to stand by Organized Labor because it is the protector of the American Worker and American Society.