By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-856112.mp3
Albany, NY – A valuable Union endorsement goes to one of the challengers in the Albany Mayoral Race, WAMC's Dave Lucas reports.
PEF, which is New York's second largest state-employee union, represents 59,000 professional, scientific and technical state employees, as well as hundreds of employees in local government agencies, including the Albany County Probation Department and Albany Housing Authority.
"Corey Ellis values the work performed by public employees in Albany and throughout the state," said William Wurster, PEF Capital Region Coordinator. "As a union organizer, a community advocate, volunteer and a member of the Albany Common Council, Mr. Ellis has shown unwavering commitment to working men and women and their families. We look forward to working with Mr. Ellis during the campaign and beyond," said Wurster.
Ellis, who has represented Albany's 3rd ward in the Common Council since 2005, has also received endorsements from the Working Families Party and government reform group Citizen Action. He is challenging 16-year incumbent mayor, Jerry Jennings.
"I'm proud and honored to receive the endorsement of such an important and influential organization as PEF," Ellis said. "As mayor, I look forward to working with members of PEF to improve Albany, just as PEF works tirelessly to improve the lives of its thousands of members."