Labor Continues to Line Up Behind Kitzhaber
The Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council announced their unanimous endorsement of John Kitzhaber for Governor today.
The OSBCTC represents 32 different union locals in 21 different crafts, including: asbestos workers, boilermakers, bricklayers, electricians, glaziers, ironworkers, laborers, floorcoverers, painters, plasterers, roofers, sheet metal workers, plumbers and pipefitters, cement masons, glassworkers, elevator constructors and teamsters.
“John Kitzhaber is the hands-down choice for anyone who cares about creating jobs and a better economic future for Oregon,” said longtime OSBCTC Executive Secretary Bob Shiprack. “Oregon’s next governor will inherit a tough economic climate. John Kitzhaber is the only candidate for Governor with a real track record of creating quality jobs and standing up for Oregon’s middle class.”
Kitzhaber said, “It’s an honor to have the support of the working families of the building and construction trades. I look forward to working with their member unions to help implement our recently released job creation plan.”
Other labor support for Kitzhaber includes the Oregon State Council of Firefighters, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48. Kitzhaber also boasts the endorsement of over 80 current and former elected officials, including four statewide office holders.
John Kitzhaber is a former two-term Governor of Oregon. An emergency room physician from Roseburg by trade, he has also served in the Oregon House of Representatives and as the Oregon Senate President. In his career he enacted many progressive reforms, including the Oregon Health Plan, the Oregon Education Act for the 21st Century, the Oregon Children's Plan, the Oregon Salmon Plan, and he helped established Oregon’s Statewide Trauma System. Since leaving office in 2002, he has continued to work on health care reform, natural resource issues and energy policy, leading several nonprofit foundations and boards.
