Rep. Meng racks up endorsements from labor unions ahead of Democratic primary

Just last week, Meng was endorsed by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East — New York’s largest union and the largest healthcare union in the nation

According to a news release from Meng’s office, these endorsements reflect Meng’s commitment to workers’ rights and union advocacy from the floor of Congress. 

“Queens’ unions are an essential part of that strong labor community,” Meng said. “Because of their tireless work, our friends, families, and neighbors have gotten to experience safer and happier workplaces.”

She emphasized that SMART Local 28, NYSALC and Local 294 have given a voice to their members and facilitated real, tangible change in the city. 

“I am so honored to have their support, and will continue to fight for labor rights, pathways, and protections in Congress,” she continued.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, the news release noted, Meng has supported and passed legislation that created new training programs for skilled labor, expanded workers’ rights across industries, and strengthened workplace safety standards across the country.

“Grace Meng has been a tireless champion for the working families, immigrants and healthcare workers who make Queens run,” said Dell Smitherman, 1199SEIU’s New York State political and campaigns director. “She understands that the fights happening in Congress — over Medicaid, over workers’ rights, over the cost of prescription drugs — are fights that directly affect our members. Grace stands up when we need an ally in Washington, and 1199SEIU is proud to stand with her.”

NYSALC, a statewide body that represents active and retired U.S. Postal Service letter carriers, supports legislative efforts to protect wages and benefits and advocates for better working conditions for its employees. 

Local 294 specifically represents over 1,400 members in the greater Flushing area and plays a key role in implementing national union gains, including the passage of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.  

According to the news release, Meng has been a key partner to NYSALC and Local 294, working with the union to advocate for a more financially stable Postal Service and advancing their legislative agenda, notably by introducing the Keep Mail Safe Act. 

SMART Workers Local 28, the news release continued, is one of the most prominent construction trade unions in NYC, representing sheet metal workers in the region for over a century. 

Meng has collaborated with Local 28 to advocate for better workplace conditions and resources for union-led apprenticeship programs vital to the future of the American workforce.

The union has a long history of wins fighting for labor rights, including establishing the first healthcare plans and pension plans in the construction industry. 

Local 28 has fought hard-won battles over apprenticeship and membership diversity, the news release noted, and it was at the center of landmark legal cases concerning equal access and opportunity in the building trades. 

Today, the union continues to advocate for its members while training the next generation of skilled sheet metal workers through its apprenticeship and journeyman upgrade programs.

NYSALC, Local 294, and SMART Local 28 are the latest additions to Meng’s growing labor coalition — which includes District Council 37, 1199SEIU, and its 32BJ branch. Combined, these unions represent hundreds of thousands of working New Yorkers.