MALDEN, MA FEBRUARY 12, 2012…The state’s largest labor organization endorsed Congressman William Keating for re-election in the 9th Congressional District with a unanimous vote of its Executive Council at its annual State of the Union Conference in Plymouth on Thursday. With so much at stake in the nation’s federal elections, every seat in Massachusetts carries importance; but the organization hopes to seize the opportunity to re-elect a freshman legislator who has led with a 100-percent Labor Voting Record in one of the toughest sessions of congress in recent memory.

State AFL-CIO President Steven A. Tolman said, “I have known Bill Keating as an effective state legislator, a distinguished district attorney, and now as a standout congressman. Throughout his entire career of public service Bill Keating has been a loyal and unwavering friend of working families. He has the interests of workers, and the values of fairness and justice, at the center of his heart and at the top of his priorities. That’s why his re-election is one of our top priorities as well.”

Congressman William Keating proudly accepted the endorsement, saying, “I am honored to have the support of the hard-working men and women of the AFL-CIO. Unions play an vital role in our society. They are great partners in job creation and not only make sure our workforce is well-trained, but also well-represented. The members of our unions are the very same who keep our transportation running, our streets safe and our children educated. Today, as always, I am proud to stand with them and I remain committed to fighting against the unacceptable wave of anti-union sentiment being perpetuated by many conservative legislators.”

In a joint statement the Norfolk County, Plymouth/Bristol and Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Central Labor Councils that represent workers across the district, stated, “Congressman Keating has the backbone and fighting spirit of a veteran congressman, and has already accomplished more for working families in one term than have long-time congressmen from other states. As the 9th Congressional District is largely a new district, we will work hard to introduce Bill Keating to those working families who have not had the privilege of being served by his leadership yet. We will educate workers all across southeastern Massachusetts about his clear record of fighting for us and mobilize them to vote to return him to the U.S. House of Representatives.”

About the Massachusetts AFL-CIO
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is an organization created by workers to promote the interests of workers in the Commonwealth. We are the most powerful, authoritative voice for all working people in the state, both for those in unions and those not yet organized. With roots dating back to the 1880’s, and originally charted as an AFL-CIO chapter in 1958, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is one of fifty-one state charters of our parent organization, the AFL-CIO. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO receives the bulk of its resources and power from affiliated local unions and other labor organizations across the state. All told, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO encompasses over 750 affiliated unions which directly represent approximately 400,000 working families in the public, building and construction trades, and industrial/service sectors. Steven A. Tolman (781-324-8230) is the organization’s President and Tim Sullivan (tsullivan@massaflcio.org) is the contact for the press. Find out more at www.massaflcio.org.