Governor Lamont Endorsed by UNITE HERE, Adding Even More Labor Support

Hartford, Conn. – Governor Ned Lamont today announced he has earned the endorsement of UNITE HERE Local 217, the union representing thousands of hospitality and food service workers across Connecticut. This support highlights the Governor’s commitment to workers’ rights, and the strong and growing labor and grassroots support backing his reelection campaign. 

Governor Lamont has focused on making Connecticut more affordable for working families,  expanding access to childcare,lowering energy costs, strengthening healthcare access, lowering taxes and raising the earned income tax credit to one of the highest in the nation. 

“Every worker in Connecticut deserves a good job–one that pays fairly and treats them with dignity and respect,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “The workers in this industry help make our state what it is, day in and day out. We need a strong, stable workforce, and that starts with ensuring every worker has the wages, benefits, and strong union contracts they need not just to get by, but to build a life and thrive here in Connecticut. I am honored to have the support of these workers, and I remain committed to standing with them in the fight for fairness and opportunity.”

During his tenure, Lamont has shown time and time again his support for UNITE HERE workers, joining marches to demand better contracts, and walking the picket line in support of better wages. As Governor, Lamont has always placed working families at the center of his agenda, raising the minimum wage, expanding paid sick days to cover all Connecticut employees, passing one of the most comprehensive paid family and medical leave bills in the nation, in addition to passing legislation to protect collective bargaining and union rights in the state. 

“The stakes for the working class are so high at this moment and we are supporting our Governor, Ned Lamont, because he has had our members’ backs again and again, not only with talk but with real policies that truly make a difference,” said Joshua Stanley, Secretary-Treasurer for Unite Here Local 217. “Governor Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz understand that the labor movement is a vital partner in combating our affordability crisis. We are fully behind him for another term to continue the progress we’ve made together.”

UNITE HERE joins a growing list of announced endorsements, including U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, U.S. Reps. John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Jahana Hayes, Attorney General William Tong, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Treasurer Erick Russell, 86 Democratic Town Committee Chairs, more than 50 municipal leaders across the state; 44 State Central Committee members, CT College Democrats; the Connecticut Building Trades; District Laborers’ Council; Connecticut Teamsters unions; and the Connecticut Carpenters. Additional endorsements will be announced in the coming days.

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