As the Son of a Union Carpenter, Reid’s First Primary Endorsement Holds Personal Significance
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Today, Democrat Hercules Reid, candidate for Assembly District 58, was endorsed by the NYC District Council of Carpenters, marking his first major endorsement for the primary and the first labor endorsement for any candidate in the race. The New York City District Council of Carpenters is a representative body comprised nine individual Locals and over 20,000 union members. Reid is running in Assembly District 58, which includes the neighborhoods of East Flatbush, Canarsie, and Brownsville.
As the son of Jamaican immigrants who obtained good-paying union jobs, Reid credits his parents’ union membership for ensuring his family had access to healthcare, high-quality education, secure retirement for his parents, and more. Reid’s father was a union carpenter for 32 years and seeing his father organize for more substantial wages and benefits significantly impacted him.
The Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, Joseph A. Geiger, said, “As the son of a hardworking union carpenter, we know Hercules Reid will put his heart and soul into his job—being a passionate public servant and a powerful voice for his community—and the NYC Carpenters Union is proud to endorse him for Assembly. As we fight for stronger worker protections, fair wages and benefits, and a pandemic recovery that uplifts working people, we need strong progressive voices, like Hercules, leading the way forward. He is the product of a union family and knows the importance of fighting for good union jobs, and we know he will continue to be a strong partner and advocate for working people in Albany.
“Being endorsed by the carpenters union is truly a full-circle moment for me; my dad came to America for a better life, and that was made possible when he became a carpenter and earned a living wage,” said Reid. “The living wage and benefits he earned provided our family with quality healthcare, access to a good education, a roof over our heads, and so much more. As a kid, I remember marching in the West Indian Day Parade proudly with my dad and his union, and I’ve continued to proudly stand alongside him to fight against wage theft and tax fraud.
“I can’t describe how meaningful it is to have the support of the carpenters union that has made such an impact on my life and the lives of so many New Yorkers. I’ve experienced first-hand the importance of union jobs for families, and I’m ready to fight for living wages and substantial benefits, worker safety and protection, and a stronger future for all working people to thrive,” Reid said.
Democrat Hercules Reid is an activist, organizer, community advocate, and the son of Jamaican immigrant union members. He previously served as an Assistant to the Deputy Brooklyn Borough President and advised on youth and education justice, safety, health, and housing. He’s been endorsed by several community leaders, including Minister John Williams of New Creation Ministries, Inc., former CUNY student trustee Chika Onyejiukwa, Vice President of 500 Men Making a Difference Cyriac St. Vil, and Haitian-American community leader Sander Cameau.
Pending Assemblymember Perry’s confirmation as Ambassador to Jamaica leading to a special election, the Primary Election will be held on June 28th, 2022. The 58th District includes East Flatbush, Canarsie, and Brownsville.
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