Four for four on the candidates we endorsed in primaries! Congratulations to Cinde Warmington (EC2), Mark Mackenzie (EC4), Mindi Messmer (EC3), and Sue Prentiss (SD5) on tonight’s wins! On to November!

The longtime public health official and current chair of the Plymouth Selectman Bill Bolton is a former member of SEA/SEIU 1984.

(Hooksett, NH – September 7th, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of Plymouth Selectman Bill Bolton for the New Hampshire Senate in District 2.

“The AFL-CIO recognizes candidates that support working families, collective bargaining, a safe workspace and equitable wages. We see that in Bill Bolton, a former SEA/SEIU member, and are proud to endorse him for the NH Senate in District 2,” New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett said.”His thirty year record effectively managing taxpayer money in public health in New Hampshire means that he’ll immediately be a voice for safe workplaces during the current pandemic and beyond.”

Bolton, a seven-year veteran of the Plymouth Select Board, spent his 30-year professional career working for the citizens of New Hampshire in public health. Starting his career as a Lab Scientist and Assistant Director of the Public Health Laboratories, he later served as the Chief of staff for the NH Certificate of Need Board, and State Registrar and Director of the Division of Vital Records Administration under the Secretary of State. He is also Chair of the Pemigewasset River Local Advisory Committee, and has served on Plymouth’s Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Energy Commission, and School Board. He has also served on the Boards of several nonprofit organizations such as the Lakes Region Planning Commission, Lakes Region Mental Health Center, Keep The Heat On (Plymouth Area Community Closet), and as Producer of the Educational Theatre Collaborative.

“As a former member of a union, I know how much they fight for their membership and for workers’ rights. I am incredibly grateful to have this endorsement,” Bolton said. “Thank you AFL-CIO for endorsing me in my campaign for NH Senate District 2!”

The veteran councilor has spent the last six years serving Derry and hopes to represent Derry, Hampstead, and Windham in NH Senate.

(Hooksett, NH – September 7th, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of Derry Town Counilor Josh Bourdon for the New Hampshire Senate in District 19.

“Josh’s work on the Derry Town Council and his volunteer work in the community has made clear that he’s focused on helping working families by any means available to him,” said New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett. “His management of taxpayer money while assuring public safety in Derry demonstrates that he’ll be a capable leader in the New Hampshire Senate.”

Since joining the Derry’s Select Board in 2014, Bourdon has worked to increase funding for public safety and helped negotiate and resolve disputed labor contracts. He worked to create the Net Zero Task Force all while giving back and helping people in need. Over the past six years, Bourdon and his wife Leah have supported the Soup Kitchen, homeless Veteran population, low income families, the Derry Friendship Center, and Cancer research.

“I am honored to have the support of the AFL-CIO. The AFL-CIO represents what is best about New Hampshire,” Bourdon said. “They always work hard and have not let up, even in the middle of a pandemic. Working families can trust that I will always listen and advocate for them.”

Why do workers that are in unions support politicians that don’t support workers that are in unions?

On the surface, this makes little sense. It’s not because the average union worker isn’t intelligent. After all, union workers are intelligent enough to recognize that union workers have good jobs, healthcare, retirement and other benefits. Union workers know that these good jobs exist because of the ability to collectively bargain. Union workers understand that without the ability to collectively bargain, these good jobs and benefits would most likely disappear. Union members know all this and more. So, why do some union members support those in government that don’t support them?

One word. Priorities.

At some point, some union workers have taken for granted that our way of life will always be here. They have allowed the noise from the machine that grinds away at all of our senses and sensibilities to distract them from what should be the number one priority in EVERY union member’s life. They have allowed other, less important priorities to assume a level of primary importance.

For most of us, our number one priority in our lives is the well being of our families. Having a good job, with good wages, healthcare, and benefits is critical to the stability and success of our families. Without a good job, our families will suffer. Without the ability to collectively bargain, a good job can disappear quickly. Without the ability to collectively bargain, a union worker’s family’s safety and security is at risk. Nothing in life is more important than loving, protecting, and providing for your family. The number one priority of every union worker should be to do everything they can to protect their job, for their family’ sake.

So, what is YOUR priority? I choose to support those who support my job and my family. I choose to support those candidates that support the right to collectively bargain. I choose to prioritize my family’s well being over every other less important priority, albeit political, religious, ideological, or even tribal. Without a good job, the family suffers.

Prioritize your family. Vote for your job. Support those who support you and your family. VOTE FOR YOUR JOB!

(Hooksett, NH – September 3rd,  2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of former Lebanon mayor and fmr. head of NH’s Emergency Medical Services Sue Prestiss’s candidacy for the New Hampshire Senate in District Five.  Prentiss, the wife of a union  firefighter, is currently serving as a Lebanon city councilor.

“As a former Chief of New Hampshire’s Emergency Medical Services, Sue will immediately bring valuable experience to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and, as the wife of a union firefighter, she knows the challenges public sector union workers face,” said President Glenn Brackett of the NH AFL-CIO. “As a city councilor and former mayor of Lebanon, she knows how handle tax-payer money and, as part of the union family, we know she will be a great ally for New Hampshire’s working families” 

“As a member of a union family, a former state employee, and a long-time public servant, the support of labor means a lot to me. We are facing multiple crises right now – a pandemic, economic devastation, climate change, and racial and social injustice,” Prentiss  said. “We need to deal with the public health crisis so that we can get to work building a more inclusive, prosperous New Hampshire for all of us. I am committed to being a champion for working families in the New Hampshire Senate.”

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About the New Hampshire AFL-CIO: The New Hampshire AFL-CIO represents over 25,000 working families and more than 50 affiliated local unions.  As a strong statewide voice for all working people, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO brings together the unions of New Hampshire into one labor movement that fights for economic and social justice in our workplaces, and communities. No worker, no union fights alone.

(Hooksett, NH – September 2nd, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of former NH Rep. Mark Mackenize’s candidacy for the New Hampshire Executive Council. MacKenzie, a retired firefighter and long-time president of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2016 to 2018, representing Hillsborough District 17.

“Mark has been an advocate for working families for years and did great work in the New Hampshire House,” Glenn Brackett, President of the NH AFL-CIO said. “His background working with public sector contracts will make him a powerful voice on the Executive Council for tax paying citizens.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the NH AFL-CIO and the support of the thousands of workers they represent,” Mackenzie said. “The AFL-CIO has been defending workers and standing up for their interest for generations and I am proud to join them in the fight for liberty and justice for all.”

The New Hampshire AFL-CIO, representing over 50 affiliated locals and 25,000 working families, cites health benefits experience, approach.

(Hooksett, NH – September 1st, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of Cinde Warmington’s candidacy for the New Hampshire Executive Council. Warmington, a Concord-based attorney, has long been an advocate for health care as a basic human right.

“Cinde has outlined an approach to the Executive Council that will make her an effective advocate for New Hampshire’s tax paying citizens,” Glenn Brackett, President of the NH AFL-CIO said. “Her career has been spent understanding workers’ benefits and that background will be an invaluable asset when reviewing the contracts that come before the Executive Council.”

“We have a middle class today because of the AFL-CIO and organized labor,” said Warmington “Whether it’s standing up for a living wage and paid family and medical leave, fair contracts, or health care access for all, AFL-CIO members and working families across N.H. can count on me to fight for economic justice at the Executive Council table.

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About the New Hampshire AFL-CIO: The New Hampshire AFL-CIO represents over 25,000 working families and more than 50 affiliated local unions. As a strong statewide voice for all working people, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO brings together the unions of New Hampshire into one labor movement that fights for economic and social justice in our workplaces, and communities. No worker, no union fights alone.

ATTN: PRESIDENTS, BUSINESS MANAGERS

Brothers & Sisters, 

As we’re sure you’re aware, this year is an election year. The last several years have seen considerable challenges to the labor movement and in November we have a chance to make our voices heard and the power of our organizations felt.

As we do in every even-numbered year, we will be convening a NH AFL-CIO Legislative Conference after the state primary to decide what candidates have earned the support of New Hampshire’s labor community. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently planning to conduct this meeting online. We will be sending more detailed information via US Mail in the next week. 

As an affiliate of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, you are encouraged to join us so that the will of your members is reflected in our endorsements. Voting is done based on local membership strength. You may contact Secretary-Treasurer Laura Hainey at hainey2@gmail.com for your current membership strength.

Please save the date:

New Hampshire AFL-CIO 2020 Legislative Conference 
Saturday, September 19th, 2020 
8:30am check-in – meeting begins at 9:00am 

Your participation in this important meeting means that our efforts in November will be more representative and more effective. Please make every effort to involve your affiliated local by joining us on September 19th. 

Yours, in solidarity

Pres. Glenn Brackett 

New Hampshire AFL-CIO

(Hooksett, NH – August 31st, 2020) The New Hampshire AFL-CIO announced today the endorsement of former NH Rep. Mindi Messmer’s candidacy for the New Hampshire Executive Council. Messmer, an associate member of SEA 1984 and a member of the National Writers Union (Boston Chapter), served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2016 to 2018, representing Rockingham District 24.

“Mindi was a dependable vote in support of working families in the House and she’s proven to be an effective advocate on the issues that matter,” Glenn Brackett, President of the NH AFL-CIO said. “Mindi takes the time to understand every side of an issue and we need someone who does her homework representing the best interests of New Hampshire’s tax-paying citizens on the Executive Council.” 

“I’m grateful for AFL-CIO’s unanimous vote to support my campaign for the Executive Council. Their members know that I am the candidate that will advocate to protect and fund their pensions and retirement funds and protect collective bargaining rights,” Messmer said. “I’ll advocate for contracts that hire NH workers, pay livable wages, and maintain worker safety. Supporting and protecting NH workers must be an integral part of our economy recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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About the New Hampshire AFL-CIO: The New Hampshire AFL-CIO represents over 25,000 working families and more than 50 affiliated local unions.  As a strong statewide voice for all working people, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO brings together the unions of New Hampshire into one labor movement that fights for economic and social justice in our workplaces, and communities. No worker, no union fights alone.

Nearly 13,000 of our AFGE brothers and sisters face furloughs. Do your part and contact Congress here.