NEWBURGH – The Hudson Valley Building Trades Council, which had endorsed State Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha (D, Esopus), has rescinded its backing.
Todd Diorio, president of the trades council and business manager of Laborers Local 17, said the assemblywoman sponsors legislation to replace Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation with a publicly owned Hudson Valley Power Authority.
Diorio told that does not have union labor support.
“Central Hudson is committed to organized labor including the building trades and in-house workers at IBEW Local 320,” he said. “IBEW Local 320 was not endorsing her, and we feel that we needed to pull our endorsement on behalf of IBEW Local 320, the in-house workers.”
Diorio also cited Shrestha’s membership with the Democratic Socialists of America as a negative.
The building trades council represents some 4,000 workers in 28 unions.
Shrestha did not respond to a request for comment Friday night on the rescinded union backing.
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