SEIU Backs Williams and Shaffer in Memphis School Board & Council Races
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(Memphis) The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today announced a list of local candidates endorsed by the organization for this year’s school board and city council elections on November 4. In the contested races, SEIU Local 205 endorses Freda Williams in the school board’s At-Large Position 1 and Paul Shaffer for City Council District 9.
Dr. Freda Williams is a professor at Walden University who was appointed to the Memphis City Schools Board of Commissioners back in January. Dr. Williams has years of experience teaching both children and adults. She’s also designed and implemented educational programs at all levels that have benefited thousands of students. “We felt that based on her experience in the classroom and as an administrator, Dr. Williams fully understands the needs of our school system,” says Patricia Byers, who serves on the union’s political committee. “Our schools are struggling and we need someone who can hit the ground running. That’s Freda Williams.”
In the City Council special election, SEIU decided to support challenger Paul Shaffer, an electrician and a longtime union official with the IBEW and the Memphis Building and Construction Trades Council. “Paul Shaffer has a lifetime of experience fighting for working men and women,” says Brenda Shields, the chief union steward for SEIU’s Memphis City Schools chapter. “Paul is a true ‘man of the people’ who’s willing to speak his mind and offer common-sense solutions to our city’s problems. We need him now more than ever.”
And in the uncontested school board races, SEIU Local 205 supports the re-election of Patrice Robinson in District 3 and Tomeka Hart in District 7. “Both Ms. Robinson and Ms. Hart have been advocates of the school system and its employees,” says William Tipton, a union steward with the MCS chapter. “We look forward to a continuing relationship with them as we all work towards the same goal – to make Memphis City Schools better for children, parents, and employees”.
“SEIU will be organizing a strong grassroots campaign this election cycle,” says Mark Naccarato, Political Coordinator for Local 205. “We don’t just ask union members to go vote for our endorsed candidates. We ask them to knock doors, make phone calls, and get their friends, families, and co-workers to the polls. And we’re engaging with our allies out in the community to support our candidates as well”.
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 Shelby County Election Commission.