Several labor organizations are adding their weight to Danielle Cohen Higgins\u2019 bid for re-election to the Miami-Dade Commission, joining several public safety and public-sector employee unions backing her.<\/p>\n
SEIU Florida<\/a>, the South Florida AFL-CIO<\/a> \u2014 including UNITE HERE Local 355<\/a> \u2014 and 32BJ SEIU<\/a> announced their endorsements of Cohen Higgins, citing her record of pro-labor policymaking at County Hall.<\/p>\n \u201cCommissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins has been a reliable partner for working people throughout Miami-Dade,\u201d said\u00a0Martha Baker, President of the SEIU Florida State Council<\/a> and SEIU Local 1991<\/a>, the exclusive bargaining representative for thousands of healthcare workers.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has championed policies that expand opportunity, strengthen healthcare and public services, and improve quality of life for families across our community.\u201d<\/p>\n South Florida AFL-CIO President\u00a0Jeffrey Mitchell said Cohen Higgins \u201cunderstands that when workers succeed, our communities thrive.\u201d Wendi Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer for UNITE HERE Local 355, which represents some 300,000 hospitality and gaming workers, credited Cohen Higgins for \u201censuring workers have a seat at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Helen O\u2019Brien, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU, which represents more than 185,000 service workers, said Cohen Higgins has \u201cconsistently demonstrated a willingness to listen to workers, advocate for their needs, and support policies that help families build a better future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur members are proud to support her continued service on the Miami-Dade Commission,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The new nods Thursday add to others Cohen Higgins has received from the AFSCME Florida<\/a> and the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Metro-Dade Firefighters and South Florida Council of Firefighters, which endorsed Cohen Higgins on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to earn the endorsement of the members of SEIU Florida and the South Florida AFL-CIO, including UNITE HERE Local 355, and 32BJ SEIU,\u201d Cohen Higgins said.<\/p>\n \u201cAcross Miami-Dade County, our workers make our community strong \u2014 and I am proud to stand alongside the men and women who keep Miami-Dade moving forward every day. As County Commissioner, I have worked to expand opportunity, strengthen our local economy, and support the families who call Miami-Dade home. I look forward to continuing that work and earning the trust of voters for another term.\u201d<\/p>\n A Democrat and lawyer who succeeded\u00a0Daniella Levine Cava\u00a0on the Commission, Cohen Higgins first joined the 13-member panel\u00a0by appointment<\/a>\u00a0in December 2020 and\u00a0won a full term<\/a>\u00a0in 2022 with 57% of the vote.<\/p>\n