As expected, the New York State AFL-CIO has set their sights on three more Senators who they believe have failed to protect the interests of the 2.5 million member labor group.

The newest members under attack are Democrats Darrel Aubertine and Jose Peralta, and Republican John Flanagan. All names President Denis Hughes had mentioned last week, when he appeared on Capital Tonight.

NYS AFL-CIO started distributing flyers and making robo calls attacking Senators Jeff Klein and Craig Johnson last week for their vote to increase the cap on charter schools, and their failure to protect construction jobs from Governor Paterson’s delayed payments.

“Once again, the flyers and robo calls will point out the issues the Senators have failed to deliver on, including increasing the state’s unemployment benefit, failing to stand up to the Governor when he shut down hundreds of construction jobs, and a failure to reform our broken economic development system,” the group said in a press release out this morning. (Full Release After Jump)

Last week the 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO unleashed a massive educational campaign targeting State Senators who have betrayed the trust, interests and well-being of working men and women.

Today, the State Labor Federation began the second round of this ongoing initiative. The three Senators targeted this week: Senator John Flanagan (2nd SD); Senator Jose Peralta (13th SD); and Senator Darrel Aubertine (48th SD).

New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes stated, “We will continue with this campaign until members of the State Senate realize that working men and women are the lifeblood of this state’s economy. Working people pay taxes, provide real and necessary services, and build the infrastructure of this state. They deserve to have their voices heard and their issues addressed. Pensions, taxes and wage policy are more than just code words used in media sound bites. They are the issues that affect the lives, well-being and futures of all New Yorkers, whether or not they are union members. This campaign has only just begun.”

A leafleting campaign begins today in Senator Peralta’s district. Robo calls will go to union members in Senator Flanagan’s district. And union members in Senator Aubertine’s district will receive both robo calls and flyers.

Once again, the flyers and robo calls will point out the issues the Senators have failed to deliver on, including increasing the state’s unemployment benefit, failing to stand up to the Governor when he shut down hundreds of construction jobs, and a failure to reform our broken economic development system.
The flyers and calls will also cite stances the Senators have taken detrimental to the cause of working men and women. Issues include: increasing the tax on health insurance; attacking public employee pensions by creating a new Tier V; and supporting an irresponsible property tax cap.

Share|