A crowded room in Queens underscored a simple political reality: organized labor is moving in one direction.
Labor leaders, elected officials and union members gathered in Sunnyside, Queens, to show support for Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in his campaign for New York’s 7th Congressional District.
The rally brought together representatives from 32BJ, DC 37, RWDSU, HTC, CWA, Unite Here Local 100, 1199SEIU, AFL-CIO, NYSNA and CSA. The event focused on labor organizing, worker advocacy and mobilization efforts ahead of Election Day.
“I am a union baby. 1199 knows what’s up. My first job was organizing for labor. This is not something that I read in a book. What I fight for isn’t something that I saw on TV. What I’m fighting for is something that I’ve lived. It is who I am at my core. Being me is union. When I’m fighting in Congress, I’m not doing it because it’s politically convenient. I’m doing it because the union saved my life. The unions gave me food on the table and a roof over my head and I’m going to spend every single day in Congress making sure that I pay that back,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
The gathering highlighted Reynoso’s record of engagement with organized labor during his time in city government, including his participation in labor actions, negotiations and public advocacy efforts. It also emphasized his relationships with unions across multiple sectors, including public sector, health care, hospitality and communications workers.
“Antonio has been with labor from day one when he was a member of the City Council. One of the biggest assets that a public servant should have and needs to have, especially in Washington, is his or her word. I can tell you today that you can take his word and go to the bank… If Trump can void a federal union contract with a stroke of a pen, he will come for every contract next. Antonio will fight for every union member in this district,” said Congressmember Nydia Velázquez.
New York Attorney General Letitia James attended the event, along with members of Congress including Nydia Velázquez. The program focused on Reynoso’s background in working-class communities and his labor-aligned record in public service.
“Dr. King once said that labor is probably the most impactful force in addressing despair and misery in our country. And what we need now more than ever is someone who can provide hope. But most importantly, someone who is a fighter, someone who is not new to this, but someone who is true to this. And someone who recognizes, who comes from a working family, who’s been on the ground, who recognizes struggle each and every day and what it’s like to make ends meet from paycheck to paycheck to paycheck. Someone who recognizes that the price at the gas pump is up. And what we need right now is someone who has consistently and repeatedly been out there in the forefront fighting on behalf of not only Brooklynites, but all New Yorkers,” said New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
Labor leaders, elected officials and union members gathered in Sunnyside show support for Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in his campaign for New York’s 7th Congressional District. Photo: Supplied/ Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso
Following the rally, more than 100 union members canvassed neighborhoods across Queens, speaking with voters about Reynoso’s campaign and labor platform. The canvass extended organizing efforts into surrounding communities and continued voter outreach heading into the final stretch of the race.
The event was part of a broader increase in labor engagement in the congressional contest, with unions expanding field activity and coordination across Queens and Brooklyn.