As expected, Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Andrew Cuomo has received the nod of the AFL-CIO, despite the fact that one of the federation’s larger members – NYSUT – declined to back the AG.

A source attending the AFL convention at the Desmond in Colonie confirms Cuomo received the support of the 2.5 million-member federation through a voice vote. (Unanimous consent).

A press release is likely to follow shortly.

Cuomo has been working hard to lock down the support of private sector labor unions like RWDSU, Local 1500 and the trades, expecting opposition from the public unions that don’t like some of his more fiscally conservative proposals like the property tax cap and public employee wage freeze.

It takes a two-thirds weighted vote to secure the support of the AFL-CIO. Had NYSUT actively opposed Cuomo, it would have been difficult for him to get the AFL endorsement.

But the teachers opted only to remain neutral in the governor’s race – something they had not done since the 2002 race that pitted then-Gov. George Pataki against then-state Comptroller H. Carl McCall, who was the Democratic nominee after Cuomo dropped out of the primary one week before the election.

UFT, NYSUT’s New York City affiliate, eventually broke with its parent union and went with Pataki. NYSUT’s Dick Iannuzzi told me recently he doesn’t expect that to occur this year.

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