In Chattanooga, SEIU and Other Unions Endorse Russell Gilbert

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Chattanooga) Five of the most influential labor unions in Chattanooga announced their unanimous support for Russell Gilbert in the District 5 city council race on November 4. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 205), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 820, and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO Local 673) all have members who work as city employees and have endorsed Gilbert. Also supporting Mr. Gilbert are the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 175), and the Chattanooga Area Labor Council.

“This is the beginning of a new era for organized labor in Chattanooga,” says Gary Watkins, President of the Chattanooga Area Labor Council, a regional federation of individual labor organizations. “Because of the toll that the economy is taking on working families, organized labor is standing united behind a single candidate – Russell Gilbert – who is committed to working people and our city”.

“Russell Gilbert represents the kind of councilman that Chattanooga needs now more than ever,” says Jeff Eldridge, President of Firefighters Local 820. “He’s committed to public service, he listens, and he’s a champion for the working man”.

“Police officers need to know that the council has our back,” says Sgt. Tom McKinney, President of International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 673. “Mr. Gilbert has shown a strong commitment to public safety and we believe that he will be an excellent advocate for police officers and the whole city”.

“Mayor Littlefield’s leadership has been less than impressive over the last two years and city government needs people on the council who have an independent voice and aren’t afraid to speak truth to power,” says Doug Collier, President of SEIU Local 205. “Russell Gilbert will stand up for what’s right and that’s why our membership supports him”.

Russell Gilbert is a food service director at Parkridge Valley Hospital. He’s also an entrepreneur whose non-profit organization, “Angels in Flight”, provides industrial and arts training to area children. Gilbert has also worked to revitalize the Washington Hills Recreation Center and football field. These areas provide a safe haven for community children to spend time and play. He also coordinates the McKenzie Football Camp for Kids and is the coordinator of the Highway 58 Neighborhood Association Coalition, a group of over 3,000 households working together to improve their neighborhoods in Murray Hills, Lakes Hills, Washington Hills, Mimosa Circle, Chickamauga and Bal Harbour.

For more information about Russell, visit his website at www.VoteGilbert.com.

Early voting lasts from Oct. 15-30, and Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 4. A full list of dates and voting locations is available through the Hamilton County Election Commission.