Rick Purcell Gains Endorsement and Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rick Purcell Gains Endorsement and Support

Contact Richard Purcell at (413) 374-5118 or (413) 538-8791

October 22, 2007

Holyoke, MA—Richard P. Purcell, candidate for the Ward 3 City Council seat, has gained the endorsement of the Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council (PVCLC), AFL-CIO, which is a voluntary federation of over 50 labor unions with members across the southern Pioneer Valley. The PVCLC's jurisdiction includes the greater Springfield, MA area and all towns in Hampden County, Massachusetts, including many workers in Holyoke, MA. The mission of the PVCLC/AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families, to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation. To accomplish this mission these organizations are dedicated to building and changing the American labor movement.

"I come from a working-class family that struggled to make ends meet and I know how many obstacles there are for families in Holyoke to find the American dream we hear so much about. Our city is really struggling to help bring its residents out of poverty--more than a 1/4 of our residents and 50% of our schoolchildren are living below the poverty line," said Ward 3 candidate, Rick Purcell.

"Labor unions are an important ingredient in helping families in Holyoke to realize the American dream. Labor unions give workers a voice on the job about safety, security, pay and benefits. Latinos working in union jobs earn 46% more than their counterparts working non-union jobs; women earn 31% more when they work union jobs. Eighty percent of union workers have health insurance as compared to 50% of those without unions," said Purcell.

"We endorsed Rick because he'll be a champion for working families in Holyoke. We've thrown the support of our 35,000 members in Western MA behind his candidacy," said Rick Brown, President, PVCLC/AFL-CIO.

In addition to the endorsements of PVCLC and UAW Local 2322, Rick Purcell has gained the support of former Ward 6 City Councilor Mark Lubold. In an open letter to voters in Ward 3, Lubold writes that he knows "what it takes to effectively represent the residents of a district and Richard has what it takes. Richard is a hard-worker, he has knowledge of the issues, and he will be a STRONG voice for all the residents of Ward 3."

"I know Richard will keep after city departments to take care of issues that reduce your quality of life. It may be trash, or crime, or snow removal--Richard will be there for you to make your neighborhood a better place to live," said former councilor Lubold.

Purcell is running for Ward 3 City Council in Holyoke. For more information, go to www.purcellforholyoke.com .





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