The theatrical stagehands union IATSE Local One has thrown its support behind New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for re-election this November.
The union cited the mayor’s “long track record of fighting for working families and union rights.”
This would be Democrat de Blasio’s second term. He was first elected in 2013. He is one of six candidates who have announced they are running for the city‘s top office this fall. Among his declared opponents is actor and disabled rights activist Darren Dione Aquino (TV’s Law & Order).
In a statement released to Playbill, Local One President James J. Claffey Jr. said, “From raising the living wage to expanding paid sick leave for more than a million NYC workers, to establishing the Office of Labor and Policy Standards, Mayor de Blasio has shown that he understands the needs of working families. He has been a tireless champion of union rights and a relentless advocate on the issues our members care about most. Because of this, we are proud to endorse Mayor de Blasio for re-election.”
Mayor de Blasio responded, “The men and women of IATSE Local One are some of our city’s biggest advocates, helping bring NYC into the hearts, minds and homes of millions of people from across the globe. Without them, NYC could not be the creative and cultural powerhouse it is today. I am honored to receive their endorsement and look forward to continuing our work together is sharing NYC’s progressive values around the world.”
As its name indicates, Local One/International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is the oldest entertainment union in the United States, founded in 1886. Its more than 3,000 members work the Broadway shows, plus Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and major TV network studios in the New York area.
Among other theatrical unions that have endorsed de Blasio this year are the Service Employees International Union 32BJ and the Musicians Local 802.
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