Less than a week after her 2023 re-election campaign was endorsed by 1199SEIU, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that 10 more organized labor unions have endorsed her, including the New York State Court Officers Association.
Katz said the new round of endorsements spans multiple building and construction trades unions that demonstrates “the support and trust” she worked to earn over her first term as district attorney and her previous work in public office at the state Assembly, the City Council and as Queens borough president.
“I am so grateful for the partnership of my friends in the organized labor and public safety communities — their endorsements of my candidacy is a true testament to our mutual goal of keeping Queens residents and workers safe,” Katz said, highlighting the support from the men and women of the court officers union who see the work she does every day in the courthouse.
“The New York Court Officers Association has enjoyed a strong and productive relationship with District Attorney Melinda Katz and her office,” NYSCOA President Dennis Quirk said. “We are proud to endorse Melinda Katz for reelection and look forward to expanding on the work we have done together to keep our constituents and our courthouse safe.”
Katz added that she was proud to have established her office’s first Housing and Worker Protection Bureau, which returns stolen wages to employees and investigates unsafe workplaces.
“As district attorney, Melinda has worked tirelessly to protect our members’ and other working men’s and women’s wages and benefits from theft by unscrupulous contractors, and we are proud to stand with her as she seeks reelection,” International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 Business Manager Christopher Erikson said. “IBEW Local 3 members have always prided themselves on leading the way in organized labor, and that’s exactly what Melinda Katz is doing as Queens district attorney.”
Enterprise Association of Steamfitters Local 638, International Brotherhood of Workers Local 3, and International Union of Operating Engineers, Locals 14, 15, 30, 94, 211, 891 and NYC Coalition endorsed Katz.
International Union of Operating Engineer Local 15 President and Business Manager Tom Callahan said Katz has his members’ support.
“Right now, Queens needs bold leaders who will put politics aside and stand up for what’s right, and that’s why we are proud to support Melinda Katz for district attorney, ” Callahan said. “Throughout her career, Melinda has always stood up for what’s right, and never compromised her principles — she is the leader we need in the district attorney’s office.”
Mason Tenders’ District Council/Laborers Local 79 Business Manager Michael Prohaska explained why his members were proud to announce their support of Katz.
“District Attorney Katz has always fought to protect workers on job sites, ensure their prevailing wages are being paid appropriately and kept their families safe at home,” Prohaska said. “She’s been our champion and Queens’ champion and we’re excited to see what she’ll do when we give her another four years.”
Katz will face challenger George Grasso in the June 27 Democratic primary. The Douglaston resident retired as administrative judge at Queens Supreme Court, criminal term, in August 2022 to run for district attorney.
Grasso served more than three decades in the NYPD, rising through the ranks to become the first deputy police commissioner before stepping down in 2010 and heading to the bench.
