Says Candidate “Walks the walk when it comes to protecting working families”

(Missoula) UNITE HERE! Local 427 today announced their endorsement of Steve Bullock for the office of Attorney General. Headquartered in Missoula, UNITE HERE! Local 427 represents over 450 workers across Montana.

“Steve Bullock walks the walk when it comes to protecting working families,” said Mark Anderlik Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE! Local 427.

“Our union stands by Steve because he stood by us in a big way,” continued Anderlik. “In 2006, Steve Bullock stood up and did what five legislative sessions couldn’t - he put together a plan to raise Montana’s minimum wage.

He wrote the language, led the fight and thanks to that effort, supported by unions like ours across Montana, 25,000 Montanans got a long past due raise on January 1, 2007,” Anderlik said.

Bullock was the Director of Raise Montana, an organization that proposed and supported a ballot initiative in 2006 that raised Montana’s minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 and provided for an annual cost of living adjustment.

Bullock has served as both the Executive Assistant Attorney General and Acting Chief Deputy Attorney General. During his nearly four years with the office, Steve undertook complex civil and criminal cases - from defending challenges to Montana’s Stream Access Laws to keeping criminals behind bars. In his statewide private practice, Bullock has worked closely with unions.

“I was honored when Mark called and told me UNITE HERE! Local 427 had voted to endorse my candidacy for Attorney General,” Bullock said. “Working together we did something amazing in 2006 and I’m honored to have the continued support of these hard working Montanans,” Bullock continued.

UNITE HERE! was created in 2004 following the merger of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (HERE). The union represents more than 450,000 active members and more than 400,000 retirees throughout North America.

In Montana the membership of UNITE HERE! Local 427 is employed in hotels, bars, restaurants, laundries, food services, and nursing homes. A majority of the members are women. In addition to the support of UNITE HERE!, Steve has received the endorsement and support of Teamsters 190, AFSCME Council 9 and Laborers 1686.

Click here to listen to the endorsement