AFGE Local 252 latest union to endorse Carroll Foy and her fight for working people in Virginia
(Woodbridge, VA) – Today, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252 announced their endorsement of Del. Carroll Foy for Governor of Virginia, adding to the support of labor unions from across the Commonwealth, including the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and IBEW Local 26.
“Jennifer Carroll Foy stands out from the field as a champion for working people who has lived and faced the same struggles that have only been worsened by this pandemic and economic crisis,” said AFGE Local 252 National President Sheria Smith. “Her commitment to the labor movement’s fight for good jobs and fair wages is grounded in her own family’s experience of living paycheck to paycheck, and she has shown herself to be a proven leader in the legislature, successfully passing bills to improve the lives of working Virginians, from ensuring a prevailing wage on state-projects to combatting wage theft. Our union is proud to endorse her bold, worker-first vision and her candidacy for Governor.”
“Growing up in Petersburg, I know what it’s like to have family struggle to get by on minimum wage, and what happens when unions are undermined and good-paying jobs leave a community. I’ve been forced to decide whether we paid the mortgage or for my grandmother’s medication — the kind of impossible choice no Virginia family should face,” said Del. Carroll Foy. “It’s why I fought to pass legislation to strengthen workers’ rights, improve quality health care, and raise the minimum wage, and why I’m honored to earn the endorsement of AFGE Local 252. I look forward to fighting together for working people as Governor of our Commonwealth.”
Del. Carroll Foy has a proven track record of fighting for union and worker rights in Virginia. In the legislature, she passed a bill that cracks down on companies that don’t pay their workers, sponsored legislation for a $15 minimum wage, passed legislation instituting a prevailing wage on all state-funded construction projects, and co-sponsored legislation repealing the “Comstock Rule” that banned the use of Project Labor Agreements and helped thousands of construction workers get quality health coverage. With input from labor leaders across the Commonwealth, Del. Carroll Foy released her post COVID-19 economic recovery plan, ensuring that working people are critical in every aspect of Virginian recovery.
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Jennifer Carroll Foy has dedicated her life to service. As one of the first women to graduate from Virginia Military Institute, a former foster mom, a magistrate judge, and public defender, Jennifer has embodied the ideals of community, honor and commitment in every facet of her life. During her time in the legislature, Jennifer led the way on the Equal Rights Amendment, proudly supported the successful fight to expand Medicaid to over 500,000 Virginians, and passed a budget that includes a 3% salary increase for teachers. She is a proud mother to twin three year olds, and wife to her husband Jeff, who she met her first week at VMI.