Labor group endorses candidates

GOUVERNEUR — The Central Trades and Labor Council endorsed candidates in all but one St. Lawrence County primary race the group considered at its meeting Wednesday.

Republican Matthew J. Flynn II, Canton, failed to get support from two thirds of the delegates present. He was the only one of the three candidates running in the District 8 Legislature race who showed up to request the council's endorsement. The council represents more than 24,000 AFL-CIO members in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

"There was still pretty good support for him, but he didn't have considerable support," said Ronald P. McDougal, council president.

Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000, Unit 8400 President Betty J. Thomas questioned whether Mr. Flynn would support a fair contract for the county's largest worker union. The union has been working without a contract since the end of 2008, and members and lawmakers have been unable to agree on salary raises and other contract terms. Legislators have said the financial downturn has left the county unable to afford raises of more than 1 percent.

"You say you believe in organized labor and that people should get a good wage. What I find disturbing is you've said in letters to the editor that the county workforce has to take its lumps like everyone else," she said. "You've come out saying you're against the small wage increases the county workforce should get with the downsizing of county government, where many workers are doing the jobs of two people."

"Do I believe our county workers need and deserve a raise? Yes," Mr. Flynn said. "But when you have a $14 million shortfall, you're in a tough place."

Also running for the District 8 seat to be vacated by Democrat Tedra L. Cobb are Republican Kevin D. Acres, Madrid, and Conservative Russell J. Finley, Canton.

The council endorsed Republican William R. Small for Ogdensburg City Court judge; Democrat James M. Sienkiewycz and Republican Matthew R. Denner for county coroner; Republican Kevin M. Felt for county treasurer; Republican Scott M. Sutherland for the District 7 Legislature seat; and Democratic Jefferson County Sheriff John P. Burns in his re-election bid.