“Throughout her public career Linda has been a champion for working families,” said John Brady, a registered nurse at Backus. “As nurses, we know firsthand that the policies enacted by the legislature can have a real impact on jobs and working conditions. Time and time again, Linda has shown with her votes that she puts people before politics and profits,” said Brady, president of AFT Local 5149, representing approximately 400 RNs at the acute care facility in Norwich.
Members of AFT Connecticut’s legislative and political action committee in June recommended endorsement of Rep. Orange’s re-election to the federation’s executive committee after reviewing her legislative record and voting history. The local Backus nurses union’s leadership last month also took action to endorse after interviewing the candidates vying for the Democratic Party’s nomination in the Primary Election.
“As a public servant, I will always advocate for working men and women,” said Rep. Orange yesterday on news of the endorsements. “Our local nurses provide vital medical services and the work they do can be tremendously challenging, so it is extremely important to protect both nurses and patients by ensuring adequate staffing levels and a safe work place,” said Rep. Orange.
Rep. Orange is serving her ninth two-year term representing Colchester, Lebanon, Windham and Mansfield in the General Assembly’s House of Representatives. She currently holds a leadership position as the chamber’s Deputy Speaker and is one of the longest serving members of the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee. Rep. Orange also serves on Backus Hospital’s Board of Corporators and prior to her public career was trained in respiratory therapy at Hartford Hospital.
“Linda has consistently stood up for her communities throughout her tenure,” said Melodie Peters, a former state senator and president of AFT Connecticut. “On safe working conditions, access to affordable healthcare, protection of quality public services, and resources for local schools, Linda has a real track record. That’s why we’re proud to stand with her once again,” said Peters.
AFT Connecticut is a labor federation of 29,000 teachers and school support staff, nurses and healthcare workers, higher education faculty and public service workers from more than 90 local unions throughout the state. Follow the union on Twitter at @AFTCT and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aftct.
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Paid for by AFT Connecticut PAC. This message was made independent of any political party, candidate or other political action committee.
