Giannoulias Secures LIUNA Support for Secretary of State Bid
Democrat candidate for Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has secured a key statewide labor endorsement from the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA).
The endorsement gives Giannoulias support from the 15 local unions and the nearly 23,000 members that make up LIUNA in Cook County and an additional 26 locals and 17,000 members downstate.
“We’re endorsing Alexi because he has always supported workers and believes strongly in earning fair wages and protecting retirement income for middle-class families,” said LIUNA Vice President and Great Lakes Regional Manager Terry Healy. “He is hands down the right candidate and the Democrats’ best chance to retain Secretary Jesse White’s seat in 2022. We are extremely proud to back him as the next Secretary of State and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with him throughout the next 16 months to make sure he wins the Democratic nomination and general election.”
“Alexi is a thoughtful, pragmatic and selfless leader who will represent the needs of our workers in Springfield,” said LIUNA Vice President and Midwest Regional Manager John Penn. “He knows the issues facing working families and the importance of creating and protecting jobs as well as increasing wages, ensuring collective bargaining, and gaining access to affordable healthcare for our members. Alexi will deliver results-driven solutions to the challenges facing working families as we emerge from the uncertainty of the pandemic.”
“I will always have labor’s back because workers deserve elected officials who are not afraid to fight for economic justice, no matter what challenges they face,” Giannoulias. “As we work to rebuild our economy in a post-pandemic era, it’s essential that labor has a seat at the table when decisions are made. I look forward to working together with a partner like LIUNA as Secretary of State, and I will continue to fight for the quality of life all Illinois workers deserve.”
In addition to LIUNA, Giannoulias has earned the endorsements from the following labor groups:
- Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council
- Teamsters Council Joint 25
- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union – Local 881
- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union – Local 1546
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) – 14 Locals
- Painters District Local Council No. 30
- Plasterers and Cement Mason’s Local 502
- Illinois Pipe Trades Association (UA)
