New York, NY – The Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Teamsters both announced their endorsements for the City Council on Thursday, August 10th. The Uniformed Firefighters (UFA) endorsed Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (D-30) for reelection and John Quaglione for the open seat in the Council’s 43rd district. The UFA endorsements came at two rallies in Queens and Brooklyn, respectively.
In a press release, the UFA said, “Since her election to the City Council in 2008, Council Member Crowley has been a tireless advocate on behalf of New York City firefighters, working to keep firehouses open across the City and sponsoring numerous bills in support of New York City’s bravest.” John Quaglione, who is a lifelong resident of the 43rd district, and a longtime aide to State Senator Marty Golden (R-22), was called “a strong supporter of public safety initiatives.” 
The Teamsters Joint Council 16, which represents 120,000 workers in the greater New York area in transportation, warehousing, public sector, deliveries, school buses, airlines, construction, parking, and other industries, announced the endorsements of candidates in five open seats, including Carlina Rivera in District 2, Diana Ayala in District 8, Marjorie Velazquez in District 13, Francisco Moya in District 21, and Justin Brannan in District 43. They also endorsed Marvin Holland in District 9 and Hettie Powell in District 28.
The Teamsters want to elect progressive candidates who will fight for working families and plan to mobilize members and resources in competitive races. George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16, said, “Over the past four years, New York City has taken major steps to protect workers and advance our progressive ideals, but there is still much work to be done. These are the candidates who will keep up the fight for working families. The Teamsters plan to put boots on the ground in the most competitive districts to get these candidates elected.”
The union works actively on its political and public policy program. Accomplishments in the current City Council and Mayoral term include the creation of a commercial waste zone policy, land use changes to support manufacturing, labor peace at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, protection of the horse carriage industry, infrastructure funding at Hunts Point Market, pay equity for school safety agents, and the creation of truck routes for 50 foot trucks.
Other Teamster endorsements in races that could be competitive include Helen Rosenthal (Council District 6), Peter Koo (Council District 20), Antonio Reynoso (Council District 34), Carlos Menchaca (Council District 38), Mathieu Eugene (Council District 40), Inez Barron (Council District 42), and Deborah Rose (Council District 49).
