International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 8 last week endorsed Jeff Brown for mayor.
Michael Barnes, president of the union, made the announcement at Local 8 headquarters at 2401 S. Swanson St.
Barnes cited Brown’s role on the Pennsylvania Convention Center board, crediting him with voting for work agreements that have made the center what Barnes calls a “hidden gem” for conventions.
Barnes also pointed to Brown’s opening of supermarkets in needy areas and employing union workers as something that swayed Local 8 to endorse him.
“We saw somebody that was willing to do the right thing,” Barnes said.
Barnes said his members, not union leadership, made the endorsement after sitting in on interviews with the candidates. In general, Barnes said Brown earned the endorsement because his “actions speak louder than words.”
Brown thanked Local 8 for the endorsement and credited members with having a “can-do attitude.”
Also appearing at the announcement were union leaders who’ve endorsed Brown, including Wendell Young IV of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, Ernest Garrett of AFSCME District Council 33, Brian Pollitt of Transport Workers Union Local 234 and Bill Hamilton of Teamsters Joint Council 53.
Some candidates in other races endorsed by Local 8 were in attendance.
Local 8 has also endorsed Christy Brady for city controller; John Sabatina for register of wills; Mark LaVelle for sheriff; Democrats Omar Sabir and Lisa Deeley and Republican Seth Bluestein for election commissioner; Gary Masino in the 10th Councilmanic District; Quetcy Lozada in the 7th Councilmanic District; Republicans Drew Murray and Jim Hasher and Democrats Eryn Santamoor, Jim Harrity, Rue Landau, Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Isaiah Thomas for Council at large; Dan McCaffery for Supreme Court; Pat Dugan and Jill Beck for Superior Court; Colleen McIntyre Osborne for Municipal Court; and Wade Albert, Will Braveman, Jessica Brown, Damaris Garcia, Brian McLaughlin, John Padova, Natasha Taylor-Smith and Samantha Williams for Common Pleas Court. ••
