Saying that “When working families ask me to stand with them, I don't say no,” Muriel Bowser on Monday accepted the endorsement of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO for Mayor of the District of Columbia. The endorsement reflects local organized labor’s belief that Bowser “represents the best choice for working people in DC,” said Metro Council president Joslyn N. Williams at a press conference with Bowser and area labor leaders.
“Having endorsed Muriel twice before in previous elections, labor feels that we can work productively with her,” Williams said. “She has supported labor’s positions on paid sick days for workers, increasing the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation, and free speech on picket lines.” "I'm honored to be endorsed by the hardworking men and women of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO,” Bowser said. “I look forward to working on a shared mission that supports working families, grows middle-class jobs, and brings trusted leadership to the District of Columbia. Together, we will build an even stronger and more vibrant city." Bowser has also indicated her support for protecting the rights of all DC government workers to form unions, economic development tied to good jobs and benefits for DC residents, and maintaining good relations with the area’s unions, working more collaboratively with them in areas of job training, apprenticeship, service on boards and commissions, and other areas where labor can bring to the table added value to the city and its residents. The endorsement process included all three major candidates completing questionnaires, followed by interviews with each of them. Labor plans to generate volunteers to operate labor phone banks, conduct labor-to-labor canvassing in the neighborhoods, and get out the vote for Bowser in the general election in November.
- photos courtesy Muriel Bowser campaign
- photos courtesy Muriel Bowser campaign