“Mayor Smiley works for big donors,” said Wayne Gomes, a Unite Here! member who works at the Omni Hotel downtown. “We need a mayor that works for us. This is why we came here today: Unite Here! Local 26 is proud to endorse a true working-class champion officially: State Representative David Morales of Providence.
“Raised by a single immigrant mom, David worked in the fields and stood shoulder to shoulder with us on our picket lines. As mayor, David won’t focus on corporate high rises. He’ll focus on basic affordability, which is currently crushing our families. Housing we can actually afford, utility rates that don’t rob us of money, and putting everyday people before corporate monopolies. It’s time to take our city back, people. Let’s hit the payment, knock on every door, and elect a working-class mayor. Let’s ensure that our next mayor is State Representative David Morales.”
Dozens of Unite Here! Local 26 union members gathered on the steps of the Providence City Hall on Monday to endorse State Representative David Morales for Mayor. Worker Wayne Gomes explained why incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley did not earn the union endorsement:
“The city is our home, and we, the workers, are the engine that keeps this city running. But right now, Mayor Brett Smiley is treating our home like his own personal corporate boardroom.
“Look at his record: While his campaign takes maximum checks from rich real estate developers, he vetoed rent stabilization when working families desperately needed a lifeline. He slapped maximum tax hikes on two to five-unit multi-family homes that we live in, passing the cost straight down to us in our rents. He pushed charter school expansions that drain funding from our public schools, which is why our teachers’ union took a historic step by endorsing his opponent. And when the winter storms hit earlier this year, his administration literally dumped the city’s cleared snow directly into South Providence.”
Unite Here! Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo introduced candidate Morales:
“I’m here to introduce the next mayor of the great City of Providence. This is a mayor who will understand that it’s one thing to say you support working people, but another to actually sit down and listen to them, to sit across the table from them face to face, ask what they care about, listen to what they have to say, and then act on those requests. That’s the kind of mayor we need.
“We need a mayor who understands that this city is getting unaffordable. A mayor who understands that in order to control the cost of living in this city, you need to take bold action, like controlling the rent.
“This is someone who understands that working people sometimes have to get into a fight, roll up their sleeves, and take to the picket lines with signs like the ones you see behind us.
“As mayor, David will understand that we’re on strike, as we were at TF Green Airport last week. He will come and stand on that main line, and not just that, he will pick up the phone, make the calls, and use all the leverage in this city to ensure working people get what they need to live here in the amazing City of Providence.”
David Morsles
“We are here to send a clear message to the corporate donors who, for too long, have dictated decisions made inside city hall. They recognize that we are building a movement of working people who want to ensure that Providence is affordable because if you work in the City of Providence, you should be able to afford to live here, but I know that many of you have watched your rent continue to skyrocket. You’ve seen costs continue to escalate while you’ve worked hard and contributed to this city’s economic success. You are not seeing policies that make your lives easier.
“As our next mayor, I am committed to ensuring that any new housing we build will actually be affordable for the people who call Providence home. We’re going to guarantee you don’t have to worry about your rent going up by more than 4% a year; ensure your children can attend quality public schools that receive the investments they deserve; and we’re going to make that possible by having a working-class agenda and budget that speaks to those needs.
“We have seen that rent is still rising to a level that one cannot afford to pay. We have noticed that we are working so hard and for so many hours, yet we are still in a very difficult position.
“This is about ensuring basic fairness. I want it to be very well known that Providence does not have economic success or growth around tourism without your services. Without the hospitality you provide, day in and day out, at our hospitals, hotels, or the airport, we are unable to deliver that level of service to folks visiting the city or to those contributing to our economy. We can ensure that you can afford to continue calling Providence home.
“Know that as your mayor, I will stand with you side by side whenever there are violations of your labor rights. Anytime there is a contract to be negotiated, you will have a partner and ally at City Hall ready to fight with you. Together, we’re going to ensure that you receive the dignified wages you deserve and the safe staffing and benefits you and your family deserve, because without your support and labor, Providence will not succeed or move forward economically. You are the economic engine of our city. Your power and work ensure that Providence as a city can continue Saliendo adelante.
“To our brothers and sisters at Local 26: Know that when we fight, we win. When we stand together, we can build a Providence for all.”
Morales for Mayor. On my block 4 houses have signs for David. Smiley has zero signs . It is time for a change.