Labor unions are split on Chicago mayor candidates as powerful IUOE Local 150 backs Paul Vallas
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Powerful labor union IUOE Local 150 has pledged $1 million to Paul Vallas’ campaign for Chicago mayor, giving him a financial and labor boost as he vies for City Hall’s top job against Brandon Johnson in the April 4 election.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 initially threw its support behind U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García late last year but is now pivoting to support Vallas after García’s candidacy sputtered to a fourth-place finish in the first round of voting Feb. 28.
In addition to Local 150, Vallas’ campaign also received support from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 9 and Plumbers Local 130.
“Chicago is the economic engine of Illinois, and we need a leader who can get our economy firing on all cylinders,” James Sweeney, IUOE Local 150′s president and business manager, said in a statement. “Our city has been stuck in a holding pattern for the last four years due to bad policies and adversarial leadership, and Chicagoans need leadership that brings us together and moves the city forward, so we are proud to support Paul Vallas.”
The candidate put out a statement calling Chicago “a union city” and saying he’s “always had great respect for the role that organized labor plays in leveling the playing field and making sure that the investments we make in our communities are always shared by the middle class and working families.”
Over the weekend, Johnson received an endorsement from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, which represents thousands of city workers and hadn’t endorsed a mayoral candidate since Harold Washington. Johnson also has the backing of the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Locals 1 and 73.
The candidates hope support from labor will help turn out voters and pay for expensive TV ads.
