For Immediate Release
March 22, 2010

AFSCME DC88 Endorses Doug Pike
Becomes 19th Union Backing Pike

ARDMORE, PA - Doug Pike received his second major labor endorsement in a week, when AFSCME District Council 88 endorsed his campaign to represent the 6th District in the U.S. House. 

"We are excited to endorse Doug Pike, who is a fighter for the middle class families of Pennsylvania," said Tom Tosti, Director of District Council 88.  "In his campaign Doug has been a strong advocate for creating jobs and reforming health care -- and as a candidate he has the greatest ability to finally beat Congressman Jim Gerlach."

"Yesterday we took an important step toward the goal of making affordable, quality health care available to every American," said Doug Pike. "AFSCME and the labor movement were a big part the coalition that has been pushing for health care reform for decades. I'm proud to receive the support of AFSCME and honored to have so many Pennsylvania working families standing behind my campaign to create jobs and fix health care."

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has more than 1.6 million public service employee members like nurses, corrections officers, child care providers, EMTs and sanitation workers. AFSCME is one of the most sought after endorsements in the nation for progressive candidates.

There are now 19 unions that have endorsed and/or given financial support to Pike for Congress -- and 16 of them backed Pike after his Democratic opponent got into the race.

Labor Endorsements, as of March 22:

AFSCME District Council 88
Service Employees International Union
Bricklayers Local 5
Elevator Constructors Local 5
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 126
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776
Ironworkers Local 420
Laborers Local 158
Machinists Local 1776
United Mine Workers of America (COMPAC)
Operating Engineers Local 542
American Postal Workers Union, Local 89
Sheet Metal Workers Local 19
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1345
James Weyrauch, President of AFGE Local 644 and Vice-President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

Financial Support Received from:

National Air Traffic Controllers Association
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Roofers Local 30
International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Doug Pike served on the Editorial Board of The Philadelphia Inquirer for 14 years, providing insight and analysis on a broad range of public policy for southeast Pennsylvania. He also served as President of a hospital for 10 years. Previously, Pike served as a Special Assistant and Speechwriter for U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas. In 1971, Pike graduated with honors from Princeton University. He resides in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.

Contact: 610-896-2162, drew@pikeforcongress.com

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