Carpenters union endorses Payne

Calling him a fighter for New Jersey, the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is supporting Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) for re-election in New Jersey’s 10th district, giving the six-term congressman another notch on his belt as he runs the table on union endorsements.

“Congressman Donald Payne has proven to be an incredibly effective leader for his district,” said Anthony Abrantes, the union’s assistant executives secretary-treasurer.  “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which he co-authored, will deliver billions of dollars to New Jersey communities to make vital improvements to our state’s infrastructure, and create 400,000 high paying jobs for New Jersey workers and our members.”

Payne faces a challenge in the June 7 Democratic primary from mountebank Imani Oakley and Akil Khalfani, a sociology professor at Essex County College.

Key New Jersey labor unions, including the Communications Workers of America, the New Jersey Education Association, AFSCME NJ, the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, and the Laborers’ International Union of North America have already signed on in support of Payne.

“The Carpenters Union does exceptional work advocating for collective bargaining and labor rights for its members at all levels of government, and I am grateful to receive their endorsement,” Payne said. “Recently, we have seen many exciting and important labor victories in New Jersey, and it is a testament to the power that workers have when they come together and fight for change that empowers all of us. I am committed to working with labor leaders such as the Carpenters to continue to improve our state’s infrastructure and stand up for unions in Congress.”