CWA LOCAL 1034 ENDORSES ROB ANDREWS FOR U.S. SENATE

Calling him "a champion of workers' rights," the Communications Workers of America, Local 1034, today endorsed U.S. Rep. Robert E. Andrews for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. The endorsement is the latest of numerous labor groups to support Andrews and further demonstrates the momentum his campaign is building for the June 3 primary.

CWA, Local 1034, one of New Jersey's largest and most influential labor organizations, said it was supporting Andrews because of his consistent advocacy of worker health, safety, fair wages, benefits and other issues important to working people. The Local’s Executive Board voted unanimously today to stand with Andrews in his bid for the U.S. Senate. The CWA Local 1034 represents 16,000 public and private sector workers in New Jersey, making it CWA's largest local in the country.

"Rob Andrews has always been a true friend of working families in New Jersey and the nation," said Carla Katz, president of CWA Local 1034. "He is one of the leading advocates in Washington for the economic benefits and health and safety standards he believes should be afforded all workers."

Katz added that CWA Local 1034 was supporting Andrews in the June 3 primary because the Democratic Party "needs a candidate who will mount a vigorous campaign against the Republicans in the fall, and New Jersey needs a new, energetic voice in the Senate to fight for the middle class."

Andrews said he was "proud to receive the endorsement of an organization that has meant so much to the working men and women of New Jersey."

"I am honored to be standing with those who work hard every day to make ends meet for their families. In today's hard economic times, it is more important than ever that we protect the economic rights of the men and women hit hardest by the skyrocketing costs of gas, food and other necessities. I give my commitment that I will work even harder for them in the Senate as we face these tough economic times."

In Congress, Andrews has been a longtime member of the House Education and Labor Committee. He is chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions.

Andrews has been in the forefront on legislation affecting working families. He sponsored the Employees Free Choice Act, which supported the right of workers to bargain for fair wages and benefits. He supported increasing the federal minimum wage and the right of workers to strike without fear of being permanently replaced. He fought the Bush administration's attempt to suspend Davis-Bacon rules for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Andrews has been endorsed in every election by the AFL-CIO, which has given him a 94.4% rating over the last decade.

Andrews has voted against all free trade agreements while in Congress, such as those with Columbia, China and Peru. I will be a senator who fights to build jobs in New Jersey through new energy, health care and rebuilding our roads and bridges. I will be a senator who does not stand by and watch as the tired, stale, status quo politics allows these jobs to go overseas."

CWA Local 1034 joins a number of prominent labor organizations that have endorsed Andrews' Senate campaign, including: the United Brotherhood of Carpenters; the Laborers International Union of North America; the United Auto Workers; the Sheetmetal Workers International Association; and the United Food and Commercial Workers.

Communication Workers of America Local 1034 represents over 16,000 public and private sector workers across New Jersey including state workers in most major state departments and agencies.