Congressman Payne Endorsed by AFSCME New Jersey Union

Another Major Progressive Labor Organization Backs Democratic Congressman

NEWARK, NJ – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) New Jersey union is endorsing Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., (D-Newark) in the upcoming Democratic Primary election. Representing over 30,000 current and retired government employees, AFSCME is one of the state’s most prominent progressive labor organizations and a force for workers’ rights, expanding access to health care, voting rights and more.

“Congressman Payne has been a true champion for so many of the issues our members care about most,” said Steve Tully, Executive Director of AFSCME NJ. “He’s a co-sponsor of the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, a bill that would expand our members’ collective bargaining rights and make it easier for them to fight for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions. That’s just one way that Congressman Payne is standing up not just for AFSCME members, but for the labor movement as a whole.”

In addition to co-sponsoring the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, Congressman Payne has championed many other issues that are critical to AFSCME and the labor movement as a whole. The Congressman supported President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which provided billions of dollars in funding for state and local governments to prevent layoffs in the health care and public health sectors and ensure that essential government services remained active during the pandemic. He was an original co-sponsor of the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act in 2020, which expands various labor protections related to workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain. Congressman Payne voted in favor of President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, another key legislative priority for AFSCME.

“For the past two years AFSCME members have been on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19, ensuring that New Jersey residents have the services and support they need from our government. Their crucial work solves problems ranging from everyday municipal and county issues to food insecurity, vaccine distribution and so much more,” said Congressman Payne. “It’s never been more clear how important these men and women are – the term essential worker is often overused, but in the case of AFSCME members it could not be more relevant. I’m thankful for their support and proud to have their endorsement. I pledge to always stand with working families and the labor movement.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by the New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region and the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

About Congressman Payne:

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.