By Patrick Donachie
A union representing 27,000 faculty and staff at the City University of New York endorsed Mayor Bill de Blasio for re-election Monday, citing the administration’s support for higher education.
The Professional Staff Congress also mentioned de Blasio’s push for universal pre-K and the expanded paid sick leave provisions throughout the city as reasons for the endorsement, according to PSC President Barbara Bowen.
“He has also, with less public attention, increased funding for the City University of New York,” Bowen said. “And in the weeks since the election of Donald Trump, he has reaffirmed New York’s status as a sanctuary city. As CUNY faculty and staff, we understand the vital role public higher education plays in combating income inequality, and we know that increased city funding for CUNY is making a difference.”
The PSC is affiliated with New York State United Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers, and is part of the New York City Central Labor Council and is affiliated with the Working Families Party. The organization pointed to de Blasio’s funding of the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs initiative, which will serve 25,000 students.
De Blasio faces re-election in November, and several candidates have announced they plan to challenge him, both in the Democratic primary and in the general election.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
