Big labor coalition skips mayoral race

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Chicago Tribune

By Hal Dardick

Chicago's largest labor coalition on Friday conspicuously left the office of mayor off its list of endorsements for the Feb. 24 city elections, even as it backed candidates or declared neutrality in nearly all the other contests on the ballot.

"After the meeting with our representatives, it was decided not to take action" on the mayor's race, said Nora Cay Ryan, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Although Mayor Rahm Emanuel has partnered with federation President Jorge Ramirez on certain efforts, his relationship with some of the 300 or so unions that belong to the coalition has been frayed. The Chicago Teachers Union and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 31, in particular, have fought him on school and pension policy.

But the lack of action also could sting two of the mayor's challengers, 2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who have longtime alliances with union interests. Garcia, however, has been endorsed by the CTU.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-emanuel-labor-no-endorsement-met-0110-20150109-story.html

[rpannier]

1. Fioretti and Garcia need to pull together and one step aside

Beating Emanuel should be their priority