Transit union endorses Hochul
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Amalgamated Transit Union workers from across the state rallied in Jamaica Thursday to announce their endorsement of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign. Eagle photo by Rachel Vick
By Rachel Vick
Amalgamated Transit Union members from across the state came to Jamaica by the busload on Thursday to announce their support for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign.
Hochul was joined by former Queens City Councilmember and former ATU President I. Daneek Miller, ATU International President John Costa and dozens of members, who pledged to support her bid to serve her first full term as governor.
“The ATU saw she was for working families, she was for transit… and she became one of the most powerful and labor-spoken lieutenant governors New York has had,” Costa said. “We're going to go out like we did before and get the word out.
Attendees applauded Hochul’s commitment to support unions and their members and pledged to do more than support her campaign in words alone.
Representatives from the MTA and other transit agencies, including ATU 1181 School Bus Union President Michael Cordiello, issued their individual support to the cheers of the men and women in attendance.
Miller, a former bus driver, offered his support to his recent colleague in government and shared his experience in the legislative world. During his time in the council, Miller chaired the Committee on Civil Service and Labor.
“Transportation is the great equalizer; if you want to suppress a community or if you want to lift the upward mobility, it is lifted by transportation – nobody understands that more than Kathy Hochul,” he said. “She knows and understands the value of transportation whether we're in Queens or Buffalo.”
Hochul accepted the endorsement from the group that she described as “the hardest working, most dedicated individuals, who showed up day after day… during this pandemic.”
“I come from a long line of hard working union men and women,” Hochul said. “We’re not going to rest on our laurels; we have to continue fighting for your rights that are constantly under attack.”
“You truly are the frontline of the frontline workers and I don’t take that for granted,” she added. “You showed up, and showing up is what life’s all about.”
It wasn’t the only stop Hochul made in Queens on Thursday. Prior to the rally with ATU, Hochul met with Queens Borough President Donvan Richards, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and others at a Queens diner.
