The campaign to re-elect Greg Nickels as Seattle's mayor announced today that six unions have pledged support to the two-term incumbent's re-election campaign.

The unions endorsing the mayor include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 751, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, The Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME Council 2), UNITE HERE Local 8, the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Laborers Local 440.

The unions cited Nickels record of supporting working people and focus on job creation, according to a release from Nickels campaign.  

"I really appreciate the support of each of these organizations," Nickels said. "I've worked hard over the last eight years to make Seattle a great place for working people, but we have more to do to get people through this tough economic time, and I intend to continue to make that a priority over the next four years."
 
The unions represent tens of thousands of working people in the city of Seattle.
 
“During his time in office mayor Nickels has worked tirelessly to create and retain tens of thousands of well-paying jobs in the city of Seattle,” said Larry Brown, the Machinists’ legislative and political director. “Making sure we keep skilled aerospace manufacturing jobs in Seattle is the number one issue for our members, and Mayor Nickels has made that possible. He has earned our support.”
 
Other labor leaders cited Nickels’ support of working families in their efforts to earn a living wage.
 
“In 2006, when we rallied outside the Westin Hotel for better pay for our members, Greg Nickels was there to show his support,” UNITE HERE Secretary-Treasurer Rick Sawyer recalled. “He has proven himself to be a friend of working people, and now it is our turn to support him.”
 
Chris Dugovich, president and executive director of AFSCME Council 2, cited Mayor Nickels’ steady leadership in dealing with the current economic downturn as a key reason for the union’s early endorsement.
 
“As the state has slashed thousands of jobs and King County goes through its own major budget crisis, the city of Seattle is weathering the storm with minimal disruptions. That is because Greg Nickels anticipated the downturn and made sure the city built up a large rainy day fund to cushion the impacts of this crisis. We need to keep that sort of smart leadership in Seattle,” Dugovich said.
 
All six unions have pledged not only their endorsement, but have promised to actively support the mayor’s campaign.
 
Nickels is running against Joe Mallahan, former Sonic James Donaldson and Michael McGinn. The primary election is scheduled for August 18.

The top two vote-getters in the mayoral race will move on to the Nov. 3 election.