Unions Line Up with Shaheen

First, it was the firefighters. Then, the AFL-CIO. Then, the shipyard workers. And now, state employees and postal workers.

Both unions endorsed incumbent U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen on Friday, calling her the best candidate in 2014.

The New Hampshire Postal Workers Union workers, who had been embroiled in a fight with Staples about alternative delivery of mail services, announced their support for Shaheen as part of honoring Labor Day, according to a statement.

The organization cited her “work protecting the postal service, creating good paying jobs and standing up for New Hampshire workers and their families,” regardless of who the Republican nominee turns out to be on Sept. 9.

“Senator Shaheen supported every postal worker in New Hampshire when she personally urged members of the Appropriations Committee to protect the USPS service standards, helping to preserve a vital public service,” said NH APWU President Dana Coletti. “Jeanne Shaheen looks out for the people of New Hampshire and has always put the families of this state first.

“Meanwhile, Scott Brown is against increasing the minimum wage and supports tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas,” noted Janice Kelble, NH APWU Legislative Director. “Now, he’s cashing in as a board member of a company that has offshored American jobs. That’s not the New Hampshire way. Scott Brown is wrong for the state, which is why we will work to reelect Senator Jeanne Shaheen.”

The state employees, SEA/SEIU Local 1984, not long after the postal workers, announced its support of Shaheen, saying they were backing “their former boss.”

The union endorsed Shaheen for her “previous record as a NH Senator and as Governor of the state” as well as her vast knowledge of New Hampshire’s needs.

“The bottom line is Jeanne Shaheen understands that people in New Hampshire have bills to pay, kids to send to college, and food to put on the table--all while trying to save for retirement. She’s always worked to expand opportunity and ensure those who work hard are able to earn a decent living for their families,” said Lacey. “Scott Brown didn’t just vote for tax breaks for companies that offshore American jobs, he sits on the board of one of those companies himself. We knew Scott Brown was in the pocket of Wall Street and Big Oil, but this is a new low. Here in New Hampshire, we don’t profit off a company that cuts American jobs, period.”