Nation's Largest Federal and D.C. Employee Union Announces Support for Vincent Gray in Run for D.C. Mayor

Citing a Need for New Hope and Direction, AFGE Endorses Gray for Mayor

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees, (AFGE), the nation's largest federal and D.C. government employee union, today announced its support for Vincent Gray, current chair of the D.C. City Council, in his run for mayor of the city. AFGE represents 600,000 federal and D.C. city employees.

"During his tenure as Chair of the City Council, Vincent Gray has shown an openness to labor and an attitude of inclusiveness towards the citizens of the District," said John Gage, AFGE national president. "We believe that Gray has a clear understanding of the problems facing D.C. He has also shown a willingness to work with citizens, employees, and labor to make D.C. work for all its residents."

"Our nation's capital faces some serious challenges," said Gage. "These challenges cannot be overcome by the go-it-alone attitude of the current administration. D.C. needs a leader who has the ability to bring people together. We believe Vincent Gray is that leader."

As the voice of public employees in D.C., AFGE has been deeply disappointed in the direction of the city under the Fenty administration. "We are supporting Gray for Mayor because we believe that the District of Columbia deserves better," said Dwight Bowman, vice-president of AFGE's 14th district, which represents federal and D.C. workers throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. "Since taking office, Adrian Fenty has waged a campaign to systematically dismantle public provided city services. He has attacked public services at every level, whether the Department of Parks and Recreation child care program, social services provided by the Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration, or managing troubled youth in the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services."

By announcing its support for Vincent Gray, AFGE joins other labor unions, which voted as a block to support Gray. "We understand that this election is a fight for the soul of the District of Columbia. Will this be a city that supports working people or will it be a city that only supports the wealthy and well-connected? That is what we're fighting for and that is why we're supporting Vincent Gray."

The American Federation of Government Employees is the nation's largest federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in 75 federal government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 11 agencies within the government of the District of Columbia.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

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