International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Endorses Congressman Bill Shuster in Pennsylvania

Labor Union cites congressman's dedication to infrastructure investment for jobs a deciding factor to endorse

McKEESPORT, Pa., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, October 23, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) endorsed U.S. Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA9) in his re-election bid to Congress.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121025/DC00201)

The event was held in sight of the W.D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge in McKeesport where a crew of IUPAT industrial painters has been hard at work applying a protective coating to the structure to prevent corrosion.

"The IUPAT is proud to endorse Congressman Shuster in his re-election bid for the 9^th District," said IUPAT District Council 57 Business Manager Rocky DeStefano to an enthusiastic crowd of union workers.  "Congressman Shuster understands what it takes to get this country back to work, and we're ready to do our part to make certain he gets another term so he can keep re-building a better America for us all."

Today's endorsement is yet another example of the IUPAT policy to back candidates who fight for the working class on Capitol Hill, no matter what their party may be.  "We follow unemployment lines, not party lines when it comes to supporting a candidate," said Jim Williams, general president of the IUPAT.  "If they're working for working families, we'll fight to get them elected."

"My thanks to the men and women of the IUPAT for their support," said Congressman Shuster upon receiving the endorsement. "Their skill and dedication on the job to maintain and repair our infrastructure is crucial for our businesses to thrive here, as well as to attract new industries and jobs to this area."

The IUPAT cited Congressman Shuster's work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as one of the key reasons it endorsed him in this race.  Legislation to rebuild the infrastructure such as the MAP-21 Transportation Bill, a key source of funding for the work being done on the Mansfield Memorial Bridge, is being heralded by the IUPAT as the kind of action Washington needs to continue to take get America working again.

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades represents men and women in North America who work in the Finishing Trades – Commercial and Industrial Painting, Glazing and Glasswork, Drywall Finishing, Floor Covering Installation and Sign and Display, among other trades.  Visit www.IUPAT.org to learn more about the IUPAT. 

SOURCE International Union of Painters and Allied Trades