I spied two prominent labor leaders today during Ned Lamont’s kick-off of his gubernatorial campaign in Hartford – John Olsen and Brian Petronella.
Olsen is president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO and was not present to endorse Lamont but to express his loyalty to the Democratic Party and hear what this newest candidate for the state’s top job had to say.
It was an interesting contrast to 2006 when Lamont was the upstart Greenwich millionaire challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman. I spent a hot summer day with Lieberman on the campaign trail and Olsen was there for part of it, hosting a labor rally in Bridgeport on Lieberman’s behalf.
Petronella, however, told me he has decided to support Lamont and expects the executive board of his union – United Food & Commercial Workers International Local 371 – which represents 10,000 members, will do the same in early March.
Petronella is from our newspaper chain’s neck of the woods – he lives in and has run for office in Norwalk and his union offices are located in Westport.
I asked Petronella why he supports Lamont over another lower Fairfield County candidate, former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy.
“Dan Malloy is a good candidate, but when it comes to name recognition, Lamont’s well known throughout the state,” Petronella said. He said Lamont is also appealing because he is not a former mayor but a “progressive businessman.”
Petronella’s comments are particularly noteworthy because they come just days after Lamont during an interview with the new CTMirror.org said he opposes paid sick day legislation.
State lawmakers for the past few years have attempted to pass a bill requiring certain businesses provide paid sick leave to their workers. One has already been introduced this session.
The Malloy campaign was quick to criticize Lamont’s position.
Petronella said he spoke to Lamont about the issue and “at the end of the day he believes like most that paid sick days are something large corporations can afford.”
So did Lamont promise to as Governor sign legislation requiring large companies provide paid sick leave?
No, Petronella said.
UPDATE: The Malloy camp responded today with an endorsement by the Communication Workers of America Local 1298, which represents 4,000 in Connecticut.
The announcement, reflecting the Malloy campaign’s continued “exploratory” mode, read that the union “will announce their full support for the gubernatorial candidacy of former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy should he become an official candidate for Governor.”
