Two powerful unions whose leadership called on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations are now endorsing Cuomo’s bid for mayor, giving a boost to his growing lead over competitors in the Democratic primary.
The unions, 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council — which together represent around 125,000 building and hotel workers — were seen as key to Mayor Adams’ 2021 victory.
“In these challenging times for New Yorkers, it is critical that we have a mayor with a proven history of effective government management to lead us towards a better future,” HTC President Rich Maroko said in a statement.
The leader added that the endorsement comes as the union’s citywide hotel contract is up for renegotiation.
“As Andrew Cuomo said when he recently addressed our members, when we need him in a fight, he will be in the foxhole with us until the end,” Maroko said.
Maroko previously called on Cuomo to resign, calling the allegations of sexual harassment, which Cuomo has denied, “deeply disturbing.”
The former head of 32BJ, Kyle Bragg, also had called on Cuomo to resign as governor when the allegations came to light in 2021. Both unions did not immediately respond to the question of what had shifted since then.
Manny Pastreich, current President of 32BJ, said in a statement he was putting his weight behind the former governor in part because Cuomo would be able to fight back against the president’s offensives on the city.
“Andrew Cuomo is equipped to stand up to attacks on our city that threaten our finances, our jobs, our public transportation, our healthcare, our social security and our rights,” Pastreich said.
“[T]heir faith in me is a tremendous boost for our campaign and I am proud to have their endorsement,” Cuomo said of the unions.
Cuomo has previously won endorsements from unions representing carpenters, electrical workers, EMTs, paramedics and fire inspectors, among others.
