Election 2012 Local Labor Council Endorses O'Brien in Mayor's Race

BRADENTON – On Friday, the local membership of the labor unions under the West Central Florida Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO publicly announced their endorsement of Richard O’Brien in his candidacy for Mayor of Bradenton. The West Central Florida Federation of Labor is the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council representing union members from 33 different international unions in 12 counties on Florida's West Coast.

O'Brien said of the endorsement, "The members of the unions represented by the WCFFL are the hardworking men and women that help keep the City of Bradenton running every day and night. Without their tireless efforts to improve the lives of everyone in and around the City, our residents would not enjoy the same quality of life and services we currently enjoy. I'm proud of this endorsement, as it represents residents in various sectors of Bradenton’s local economy."

The endorsement marks the first time in decades that members of the local AFL-CIO unions and members of the local Teamsters union will be working together to promote a candidate for election in the City of Bradenton. Four weeks ago, O'Brien also received the endorsement of former 20-year Bradenton Mayor Bill Evers.

Local unions included in the West Central Florida Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO include: The Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Manatee Education Association, International Union of Police Associations, National Association of Letter Carriers, Millwrights & Machinery Erectors Union, Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades and the International Union of Operating Engineers.