The National President of the AFL-CIO, one of the largest organized groups in the United States, visited Connecticut Tuesday to campaign for the state's Democratic Governor in his bid for reelection.
"For working families of Connecticut, Dan Malloy has the agenda" Richard Trumka said before a group of union members, organizers, and members of the press.
Trumka used the open microphone to criticize Republican Tom Foley in much the same ways Democrats in the state have throughout the campaign.
“Losing looks exactly like Tom Foley" Trumka said. "Tom Foley is the personification of the corporate agenda and that is frankly the last thing the working people of Connecticut need.”
Trumka said Foley's record working with TB Woods in Pennsylvania is something that should concern Connecticut voters.
During a campaign stop just minutes from the AFL-CIO event in Rocky Hill, Tom Foley and Lieutenant Governor candidate Heather Somers toured Fair Weather Acres, a farm and store. Foley defended his record with unions and TB Woods to reporters. He repeatedly said, "We covered this last month" and reiterated that employees at the company received bad advice from their union, which led to some of their dismissals."
Foley said, "Some chose to return to work and some didn’t." He added, "Others lost their jobs and that’s unfortunate but when a union puts their employees at risk by recommending a strike to them, they’re at risk and if things don’t work out for them that’s the union’s fault, not the employer’s fault.”
The Republican candidate for governor reiterated a point he's made throughout the campaign when it comes to unions. "I'm not pro union or anti-union" Foley said. "I'm pro worker."
Trumka with the AFL-CIO said Foley will take his business practices with him if he becomes governor.
“He’s a CEO who sinks companies, destroys jobs, makes war on his employees and walks away with his arms full of money” Trumka said.
