For Immediate Release: April 3, 2013 Contact: Nathan Smith | 718-612-4453 | njsmith74@gmail.

com

NYC Central Labor Council Endorses Austin Shafran for City Council
Shafran Continues To Build Momentum with Fifth Labor Endorsement of Campaign Queens, NYToday the New York City Central Labor Council (CLC), the largest regional federation for organized labor in the country, announced its endorsement of Democrat Austin Shafran for City Council. The NYCCLC brings together 300 local unions from every trade, occupation, public and private sector of the New York economy. CLC membership represents 1.3 million workers, including teachers, truck drivers, operating engineers, nurses, construction workers, electricians, firefighters, retail workers, janitors, train operators, bakers, and many more professions across the city. This is the fifth major labor endorsement for Shafran, demonstrating that his progressive, middle-class-first agenda is resonating with working families. NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez said, Our Citys workers will have a strong advocate in the City Council with Austin Shafran. Austin comes from a union family and has the experience we need in government fighting for the working men and women of this city." Austin Shafran, candidate for City Council (CD-19) said, The heart and soul of New Yorks workforce is the diversity of its workers. I am deeply honored to have the support of the CLCs broad coalition, as we fight side by side to level the playing field and open up economic opportunities for all New Yorkers. Whether its pay equality, workplace safety, or the financial security of health and retirement benefits, I will work every day to ensure city government works better and delivers more for working families. I look forward to partnering with the CLC and all of its members to improve the quality and quantity of the jobs we need to build a strong middleclass-first economy. Shafran has already earned the endorsement of the Teamsters Joint Council 16, which represents over 120,000 workers from 29 local unions, UFCW Local 1500, representing over 30,000 supermarket workers and retail food workers in New York City, 32BJ SEIU, which represents over 70,000 property service workers in New York, and the Council Of School Supervisors and Administrators, representing over 12,000 principals, assistant principals and retirees. Throughout his career in public service over the past decade, Shafran has helped enact policies and legislation to improve the lives of seniors, children, women, and working families and businesses. Shafran most recently served in Governor Cuomos Administration as Vice President of Public Affairs for the states economic development agency, where he played a significant role in executing the Governors aggressive job growth and small business development agenda. In this

capacity, Shafran helped to foster the growth of tens of thousands of new jobs and local businesses, administer over $1 billion in small business assistance programs, and reduce the tax burden on middle-class families to its lowest rate in almost 60 years through fair share tax reform. Shafran has also worked for Congressman Gary Ackerman, the New York State Senate Democrats and City Councilman David Weprin. A former semi-professional baseball player, Shafran has volunteered to coach little league and mentor young players in local youth sports organizations in our community. For more information about the campaign and to get involved, please visit www.austin4council.com. ###