Brooklyn Councilman Rafael Espinal Resigns For Union Post

BROOKLYN, NY — Prominent Brooklyn Councilman Rafael Espinal resigned from his elected post to take a gig heading the Freelancers Union.

Espinal's resignation letter dated Sunday states he'll step down "effective immediately," NY1 reported. He had nearly two years left in his term.

"For the past 6 years as a City Council Member and 12 years as a public servant, it has been an honor to serve my friends, family and neighbors in the Cypress Hills, Bushwick, Brownsville, Ocean Hill and East New York community," he wrote in the statement.

The Freelancers Union officially announced Monday that Espinal would take their executive director post, but the news already circulated over the weekend. Espinal's staff in fact learned of his new job over Twitter, AMNY reported.

Espinal's resignation caps off a headline-making City Council stint. He represented Brooklyn's 37th District, which includes a sliver of Bed-Stuy, and gained attention for his successful campaigns for a Nightlife Mayor position and repealing the city's anti-dancing, Cabaret law.

But attention didn't translate into success in a run for Brooklyn Borough President. Espinal recently dropped out of that race.

A special election for Espinal's seat will be held within 80 days, the New York Daily News reported.

The Freelancers Union, in its announcement, touted Espinal's work backing a "Right to Disconnect" bill for workers and the Freelance Isn't Free law.

The union touts itself as the largest organization representing the country's 56.7 million independent workers. It fights for protections for freelance workers.