“Working people in Stratford need advocates in town hall,” said AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel. “They need champions who will fight for them on the issues that matter; strengthening education, improving access to healthcare, addressing workplace safety and protecting vital public services. We’re confident that is exactly what Tina and Bieu, working together, will do,” added Hochadel, who previously taught physics and science in the state’s technical high schools.
Candidates for municipal office completed questionnaires over the past four months on a series of policy issues important to the members of AFT’s local unions and their communities. Members of the federation’s legislative and political action committee reviewed the responses and made recommendations for endorsements in the 2017 General Election to its executive committee.
“We are proud to endorse Tina and Bieu,” said Sal Luciano, executive director of Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME). “They are deeply committed to protecting public services and the quality of life for Stratford residents. Tina and Bieu will work hard to champion the rights of all workers and they will be powerful advocates for equity and fairness,” added Luciano, who previously served as a social worker in the state’s children and families department.
Council 4’s endorsement process includes a candidate questionnaire and face to face interviews with local union members who volunteer on their grassroots political and legislative action committee. The labor federation’s delegate assembly votes on all candidates recommended for endorsement.
“I believe collective bargaining is a right, not a privilege,” said Manus (above, right), the incumbent District 10 representative on Stratford’s town council and the local Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate. “Protecting those who labor is a social justice issue. We need to strengthen and expand unions to protect all people with the same standards and benefits that people in unions, like myself, enjoy,” added Manus, who is also a member of the AFT Connecticut-affiliated State Vocational Federation of Teachers (SVFT).
“Unions protect workers’ rights and ensure workplace safety and fairness,” said Tran (above, left), who also won the Democratic Party’s endorsement for Stratford’s District 1 town council seat. “Union jobs provide a fair wage so that these workers may provide for their families. I will be the champion of the middle class and hard working families in Stratford,” added Tran, whose mother is a building cleaner in Bridgeport Public Schools and a member of the Council 4-affiliated Local 1522.
Click here to watch video, “Stepping up to Demonstrate ‘Labor is Your Neighbor,'” featuring Manus.
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AFT Connecticut represents approximately 30,000 hard-working women and men in PreK-12 education, healthcare, public service and higher education from more than 90 local unions throughout the state. For more information, visit www.aftct.org or follow the labor federation on Twitter at @AFTCT and on Facebook at AFT Connecticut.
Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) represents 35,000 workers throughout Connecticut — including 500 who live in Stratford — in state and local government, as well as the private sector. For more information, visit www.council4.org or follow the labor federation on Twitter at @AFSCMECT4 and on Facebook at Council 4 AFSCME.
