Weingarten, Rivera, Raynor Top List of Labor Leaders Supporting Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples

New York, June 26, 2006 - Today, Empire State Pride Agenda released a list of twenty leaders of labor unions and federations across New York State who are supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples. On the list are well-known figures like Dennis Rivera, Randi Weingarten and Bruce Raynor. This is the first time these labor leaders have allowed their support for marriage equality to be made public.

Among the unions on the list are: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199; United Federation of Teachers (UFT); and, a number of affiliates and locals of UNITE HERE, United Auto Workers (UAW), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and Communications Workers of America (CWA). Three important upstate labor federations are also on the list: Capital District Area Labor Federation; Rochester & Genesee Valley Labor Federation; and, Central New York Area Labor Federation. (Federations are multi-union organizations within specific geographic regions of the state.)

Alan Van Capelle, Executive Director of Empire State Pride Agenda, New York's statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization said about the announcements, "As someone who worked for nearly a decade in the labor movement, I know that organized labor is one of most effective vehicles in the country for advancing economic and social justice. I am pleased that labor is continuing that great tradition and is leading the way in new York on marriage equality.”

Even though UNITE HERE has not taken a position nationally on marriage equality for same-sex couples, its President Bruce Raynor has given his personal support for the issue. A number of UNITE HERE's New York affiliates have come out in support of marriage equality, however, and their local leaders are on today's list.

When informed about labor's support for marriage equality in New York, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, "The pundits often divide Americans into distinct and separate groups, but the reality is, we are far more integrated and diverse than that. Union families are not so different from LGBT New Yorkers -- indeed, many union members are gay or lesbian. When it comes to justice -- whether it be safe working conditions, racial equality, immigration reform, or marriage rights -- we truly are, as the labor movement so often says, stronger together."
The number of workers in New York State represented by these unions and federations is about 725,000. The three upstate labor federations represent 33 counties and 320,000 of the 725,000 figure. Most of the rest are in NYC.