UAW Local Endorses Rick Purcell for Ward 3 City Council Seat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UAW Local Endorses Rick Purcell for Ward 3 City Council Seat

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

http://www.purcellforholyoke.com/prUAWendorsesRickPurcell.html

October 10, 2007

Holyoke, MA—Richard P. Purcell, candidate for the Ward 3 City Council seat, has gained the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) CAP (Community Action Program) Council. The UAW Local 2322 is based in Holyoke, MA, and represents 3600 workers in the area, primarily in the fields of early childhood and higher education, health care and human services.

"The UAW's endorsement of my candidacy is important to me because I know that union workers built America. Union workers fought for and won improvements that we all now take for granted, like the minimum wage, the 40 hour week, social security and the end of child labor. When unions lose ground in this country, the results are clear: the rich become richer, the poor become poorer and the middle class all but disappears" said Ward 3 candidate, Rick Purcell.

"One of UAW Local 2322's largest units of workers, those at the Sisters of Providence Behavioral Health Hospital, have been unionized for over ten years and have helped to raise the standard for wages and benefits for healthcare workers in the area. These workers are, through their example of leadership, showing us how to improve the workplace and keep good jobs in the city."

"Clearly, increasing the standard of living among working families in the city is a key to improving life for all of us in Holyoke. Unions can play a role in this effort—union workers earn 30 percent more than nonunion workers on average and provide workers with a democratic voice at work. When Holyoke was a thriving manufacturing city, it was also a thriving union city—this is our legacy but it can also be a roadmap to our future," said Purcell.

"The UAW is proud to endorse and support an individual of Richard's character, someone who has served his country and who we are confident will serve the citizens of Holyoke and bring new ideas to Holyoke politics when elected, " said Ron Patenaude, President, UAW Local 2322.

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

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