So the Vermont AFL-CIO is backing TJ Donovan over Bill Sorrell for AG…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 6, 2012CONTACT: Jay Els
802.503.0017
tjforag@gmail.comTJ DONOVAN RECEIVES SUPPORT OF VERMONT STATE LABOR COUNCIL, AFL-CIO
Labor Leaders Say Fighting for Working Families and Economic Justice a Must for Next Attorney GeneralBURLINGTON, VT – TJ Donovan, candidate for Vermont Attorney General, received key support today from the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The coalition of unions, which represents nearly 10,000 members in numerous unions throughout the state, cited TJ’s understanding of the demands on working families, engagement with the labor community, and commitment to protecting Vermont workers for their support of Donovan’s campaign.
“The Vermont AFL-CIO is excited to support TJ Donovan’s candidacy to become Vermont’s next Attorney General,” said Ben Johnson, President Vermont Labor Council, AFL-CIO. “TJ’s background, family history and our discussions with him have demonstrated TJ’s respect and support of the labor movement and his strong commitment to working people. Whether it’s ensuring compliance with Vermont’s labor laws or protecting employees from workplace discrimination, we have full confidence that as Attorney General TJ will do everything within his power to be a champion for middle and working class Vermonters .”
Donovan responded to the announcement saying, “I am honored to have the backing of the Vermont Labor Council, AFL-CIO. I look forward to developing a close relationship with the hard-working men and women of these unions and working families throughout this state. I am committed to supporting the hard-working Vermonters by fighting for economic justice in the workplace as well as social justice in our communities.”
The Vermont Labor Council, AFL-CIO joins a growing list of groups and elected officials from across the state, including the Vermont Troopers Association, Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Sears (D-Bennington) and the Vermont Sheriffs Association publicly supporting TJ’s candidacy for Attorney General and his vision for the office.
The Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the state federation of labor representing nearly 10,000 members in more than 80 unions throughout Vermont. The mission of the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families-to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation.
TJ was born and raised in Burlington. He currently serves as State’s Attorney for Chittenden County, an office he was elected to in 2006. The Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office is the busiest county prosecutor’s office in the State of Vermont, handling over 5,000 criminal cases and 300 Family Court cases each year.
from the AFL-CIO will explain what exactly their endorsement means. It would seem that about 60 percent won’t vote and about a third of the rest will vote Republican. I’d be extremely surprised if more than five people from the AFL actually worked on the campaign. Most of what they accomplished was to get together for a big, artery-clogging steak dinner and some beers and then a few mucky mucks got together in a “fancy suite” to pick the winner. Labor ought to sit out a few elections and really work on themselves.