FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The UFT and DC 37 Endorse Stephen Levin for City Council

Brooklyn, New York, July 13, 2009: The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and DC 37 AFSCME AFL-SEIU announced their endorsement of Stephen Levin for City Council who is running in the 33^rd District in Brooklyn. Levin now adds these two prominent unions to his long list of supporters in his race for City Council.

Levin has worked as a community organizer in Brooklyn and as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Vito Lopez. He has received the endorsements of The New York State Court Officers Association, the Hotel Motel Trades Council, 32 BJ SEIU, the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 1500, the Detectives‘ Endowment Association, the United Auto Workers Region 9, and the Working Families Party.

Paul Egan, UFT Director of Legislation and Political Action, said the UFT chose to endorse Levin because of his “strong record as a tireless advocate for education.” Egan also cited Levin’s “commitment to ensuring quality public education and creating new schools in New York City” motivated the UFT’s decision to endorse Levin.  Egan concluded, “the UFT is proud to support Stephen Levin for City Council, the candidate that shares the same values and goals for New York City education as the UFT.”

Levin’s dedication to New York City is shown not only by his commitment to education, but to his commitment to ensuring better lives for New Yorkers. Levin secured the endorsement of DC37, New York City’s largest municipal employee union, because he is dedicated to providing the public employees of New York City with affordable housing, good work place conditions, and a better quality of life.

Levin said, “I am honored and thrilled to receive the endorsement of the UFT and DC 37. As City Councilman I will work closely with these unions, whose progressive visions have helped build our city and provide a strong voice to those who work tirelessly to keep our city running well.”

The 33^rd district includes Brooklyn Neighborhoods the North Slope, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Vingera Hill, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint.

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