Labor Unions Finally Like Mike

Local labor unions are throwing their support behind at-large council candidate Michael A. Brown in the Nov. 4 General Election.

The Service Employees International Union MD/DC State Council; the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the Washington D.C. Building and Trades Council had representatives join Brown in front of his Georgia Avenue headquarters this morning.

The speakers, including SEIU executive director Terry Cavanagh, talked about how it took Brown three times to win their support. In his bids for mayor in 2006 and a Ward 4 council seat last year, Brown's opponents fared better in picking up labor endorsements.

"Michael has proven to us how tenacious he is," Cavanagh said.

Daniel Fields Jr., president of SEIU Local 722, said Brown had come close to winning support during those runs. "Every time we interviewed him, he made our decision very, very hard. Except for this time," Fields said, adding that the union was impressed with his platform that addresses the plight of the elderly, the education of children and affordable housing.

Brown said he was appreciative of the union support. "I am proud, frankly, to call myself labor's candidate," he said.