Democrats clamor for police union endorsements despite previous critical statements on cops
The New York City Council passed a watered-down measure that critics called an “emergency” bill allowing cops in the public to be exempt from the union’s contract. Now, the union is asking city officials to override the Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) veto.
The union has endorsed Democratic challengers to incumbent Council members this summer, and it’s been an expensive summer for the unions themselves. The New York City chapter of the Service Employees International Union endorsed incumbent Councilwomen Margaret Chin (D-Yonkers) and Helen Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) in August.
The two Councilmembers defeated in the August special election had both endorsed the union’s anti-union campaign. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito (D) and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson (D), who won seats in August, also voted against a union endorsement in their races.
The union is asking De Blasio to override his veto. In a statement, the organization said it was “deeply disappointed” by the veto but added that “the unions are not on a political basis.”
“It is past time for this city to move on from fighting for cops against our will,” said Charles C. Thomas, the president of the Service Employees International Union Local 1005. “Council members should show their commitment to their constituents and vote no on this emergency bill.”
Here’s what a union representative said about the emergency bill.
Councilwoman Margaret Chin (D-Yonkers): “The veto of a non-controversial police bill is yet another example of this administration’s willingness to throw a lifeline to New York City’s poorest without doing anything for them. I can’t believe that my constituents support policies that hurt them. It’s time to stand with them. Council now should move on and support the unions’ election drives. Council will support unions’ endorsements in the primaries and vote in June. The unions will be the only labor party that really supports