The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has officially endorsed Nikki Lucas, candidate for New York City Council in Brooklyn’s 42nd District, covering East New York, Starrett City, Brownsville, Canarsie and East Flatbush.
“I am grateful to have the support of the UFT”, stated Lucas. “To have the backing of the UFT and its members is very humbling. I am looking forward to creating and supporting existing legislation that increases funding and support for New Yok City teachers, students and parents. I look forward to working directly with the UFT and its members every step of the way in strengthening our schools.”
“Nikki Lucas is a local community advocate who understands the needs of her neighbors. We will need allies like her on the City Council if our public schools are to receive the funding our students need”, stated Michael Mulgrew, President of the UFT.
The UFT is one of the largest labor unions in New York City, representing nearly 200,000 members, including approximately 75,000 teachers and 19,000 classroom paraprofessionals, along with school secretaries, attendance teachers, school counselors, psychologists, social workers, adult education teachers, administrative law judges, nurses, laboratory technicians, speech therapists, family child care providers and 64,000 retired members.
“We are 20 years into the 21st Century but East New York has been left behind when it comes to the arts, technology, true affordable housing, support for homeowners, healthcare and police reform”, added Lucas. “All of these issues are connected to education in one form or another. East New York is number one when it comes to homelessness, which means there are students in East New York who are homeless and that is unacceptable. No student in New York City should be homeless, period. I am committed to partnering with the UFT, its members, and parents in ending this vicious cycle.”
Lucas is a founding member of the Coalition to Save NYCHA, which is a coalition that is advocating to keep private developers from gaining control of New York City’s Public Housing portfolio. The coalition expresses that private developers have been historically bias against communities of color and handing over the city’s only low income housing stock would prove to be detrimental to families in every borough of New York City, not just District 42.
Lucas also picked up another key endorsement this week, as DC9 (Painters Union) have agreed to put their support behind her campaign.
To find out more about Nikki Lucas visit her campaign website at www.electnikkilucas.com.