Fears of election tampering drive new labor coalition

New York City labor unions representing more than one million workers launched an election protection coalition Oct. 15, pledging to mobilize members and resources to defend voting rights ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Approximately 1,000 union members representing dozens of organizations gathered outside the Farley Post Office in Manhattan for the announcement of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO’s new initiative, dubbed “Our Voice. Our Vote. Our Democracy.” The coalition aims to encourage voter participation, ensure ballots are counted and prepare for potential interference with election procedures.

Union leaders said the initiative comes in response to what they called mounting threats to democratic institutions by the Trump administration, including efforts to restrict voting access, target immigrant communities and cast doubt on election results.

“The voting rights that 1960s-era civil rights activists fought and died for are under attack like never before,” said Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association. “The Trump administration has targeted our immigrant communities and communities of color — first to deny them healthcare and now to disenfranchise them.”

The coalition brings together unions spanning health care, building services, education, telecommunications, manufacturing, hospitality and public employment. Those include Local 32BJ and 1199 of the Service Employees International Union. District Council 37, the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, Communications Workers of America District 1, the United Auto Workers Region 9A and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.

“Every eligible voter deserves to have their voice heard and their vote counted,” said Brendan Griffith, president of the NYC Central Labor Council. “These are principles that should unite us all, and the CLC is proud to support these efforts.”

Unions holding know-your-rights training

The announcement comes amid concerns among labor leaders about the possibility of election disruption, including attempts to change voter registration rules. The coalition’s press release also cited reports of potential National Guard deployments to polling places in swing districts and other efforts that might dissuade voters from showing up to the polls.

Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU, said the administration’s efforts to weaken voting rights threatened the political voice of workers across the country.

“Whether election tampering happens in NY, Florida, Texas or anywhere — it impacts us all,” Pastreich said.

The unions said they were preparing for a range of scenarios, pointing to President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election and his repeated questioning of the legitimacy of U.S. elections.

According to the coalition, unions have also held dozens of know-your-rights trainings, organized hundreds of poll watchers and established rapid-response networks in preparation for possible disruptions to the elections.

The coalition also connected voting rights to the administration’s immigration policies, arguing that enforcement actions and the resulting fear among immigrant communities could discourage workers from accessing public services and participating in civic life.

Forty percent of New York City residents are foreign-born, according to the coalition’s release, which said many union members are immigrants as well. 

Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37, said the coalition would stand with voters whose rights were threatened.

“New York City is a union town, and working people will not back down — we will fight back,” he said.