File photo. Photo: WOLF-TV / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

The Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, which endorsed Republican Stacy Garrity for state treasurer just two years ago, is now campaigning against her 2026 bid for governor, accusing her of breaking promises made to building-trades unions.

The council, which represents more than 50 unions, joined Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and other local Democrats at a union training center in North Philadelphia on Monday as part of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s “100% MAGA” tour. The event marks a sharp reversal for a labor group that crossed party lines to back Garrity in 2024.

Boyer says Garrity broke her word on Shapiro

Ryan Boyer, the council’s business manager, said Garrity had promised the group she would not run against Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose campaign for governor also received the council’s endorsement.

“We think that Josh Shapiro’s a superior governor and for her to break that promise led me to say that I wouldn’t support her if she ran for dog catcher.”

Boyer said the council initially supported Garrity’s reelection after she pledged to support labor in her role, including seeking an increase in Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation disbursements.

“She said the right things. She said that she would support the working men and women of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Garrity won the 2024 treasurer’s race with about 3.5 million votes, the largest vote total received by a statewide candidate in Pennsylvania history. Her coalition included some labor organizations that frequently support Democrats, helping her defeat Democratic nominee Erin McClelland.

Right-to-work endorsement draws union fire

At Monday’s event, political leaders criticized Garrity for accepting an endorsement from the political arm of the Associated Builders and Contractors, a national trade association that supports “right-to-work” legislation. Such laws prohibit labor agreements that require staff to join a union or pay dues, even if a workplace voted to organize.

Unions often argue that wages are lower in right-to-work states, a contention supported by some research, though the precise effect remains debated.

Davis pledged Pennsylvania would not adopt such a law while he and Shapiro remain in office.

“Pennsylvania will never be a right to work state under our watch.”

Garrity has not made enacting right-to-work legislation a central proposal of her campaign. Her campaign spokesperson Matt Beynon said in a statement that Garrity would “do what Josh Shapiro has not done” and “fight for Pennsylvania workers and advocate for Pennsylvania businesses.” Beynon did not answer whether Garrity would support right-to-work legislation but said she “will pursue free market policies that empower Pennsylvania workers and businesses.”

A different race from 2024

Shapiro has secured endorsements from several of Pennsylvania’s largest labor organizations for his second term, including the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Garrity has not yet announced comparable support from a major traditional labor union.

The divide is a stark contrast to 2024, when the Philadelphia Building Trades, the Pennsylvania Laborers and other labor groups crossed party lines to support Garrity for treasurer.

Boyer said the building trades remain willing to endorse candidates from either party but argued that Garrity forfeited their support by challenging Shapiro and aligning herself with groups hostile to organized labor.

“I’m not an R or a D. I’m a J for a job or O for an opportunity.”

The gubernatorial election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.