Gov. Edwards, AFL-CIO, and UNITE HERE Local 23 Endorse Mayor Cantrell's Re-election
Mayor LaToya Cantrell is starting her re-election campaign off strong with three huge endorsements from Governor John Bel Edwards and two major labor unions. This across-the-board support shows her widespread approval. Throughout New Orleans and Louisiana, leaders and workers have faith in Mayor Cantrell's ability to continue to lead this city.
Workers are the backbone of the New Orleans economy. Unions like the AFL-CIO and UNITE HERE Local 23 are committed to ensuring that workers are protected and know their rights. Mayor Cantrell said, "I have always stood up for workers, even going back to the City Council when I got the smoking ban passed. I've also improved standards for companies that contract with the city to ensure good working conditions for their employees and more timely completion of road and drainage repairs for residents. I am honored that the AFL-CIO and UNITE HERE Local 23 have recognized my efforts. I've fought tirelessly to create better opportunities by advocating for job programs, better work conditions, and better pay. Having unions fight for New Orleans workers means everyone is held to a higher standard and everyone has more opportunities to succeed."
As a member of the City Council, Mayor Cantrell fought to ban smoking in restaurants in order to protect service workers from the health impacts of secondhand smoke. Now, that's one less thing waiters, cooks, and other workers need to worry about. Everyone has the right to a workplace where they can breathe clean air.
As Mayor, she has not only promoted the health of our workers, but also their economic well-being. Under her leadership, the city has created numerous job programs such as the Regular Summer Jobs Program and the Opportunity Youth Jobs Program. These opportunities set individuals up for success and help them find good jobs--often union jobs. Mayor Cantrell has also worked with unions like IATSE Local 478 to ensure workers on film and TV sets are getting paid a fair wage.
Gov. Edwards knows that Mayor Cantrell has had to make tough decisions to lead the people of this city through the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it brought on. He recognizes that she has what it takes to continue to lead New Orleans to a recovery in which the city is stronger than ever. Gov. Edwards' endorsement shows that he believes in Mayor Cantrell's leadership.
Mayor Cantrell and Gov. Edwards worked together to forge the Fair Share Agreement, securing over $200 million to revitalize and modernize New Orleans' infrastructure. This unprecedented deal was one that people in the private and public sectors, and at the state and local levels, could get behind. This kind of leadership with an eye towards long-term sustainability is why Gov. Edwards supports Mayor Cantrell's re-election.
