ATU Local 726-Staten Island and the ATU New York State Legislative Conference Board officially endorsed Andrew Cuomo for Mayor of New York City on Friday, September 26th, following a similar endorsement earlier this week from Teamsters Joint Council 16. The move highlights growing support for Cuomo among transit and labor groups throughout the city.
Representing thousands of bus operators and transit professionals, the ATU praised Cuomo’s record on Staten Island transit. Daniel Cassella, president of Local 726 and chair of the New York State Legislative Conference Board, highlighted that Cuomo “has always recognized the unique challenges facing our borough’s transit system.” He added that bus operators know Cuomo has their support and are proud to stand with him in the election.
Cuomo acknowledged the endorsement and highlighted the role of transit workers, saying they are “the backbone of this city” who keep New York moving. He added that expanding transit requires investing in infrastructure and protecting union jobs, not costly experiments. He emphasized that his plan aims to deliver a system that is reliable and built by working people.
The ATU also voiced opposition to mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to make city buses free, pointing to Kansas City’s failed attempt. That program, launched in 2020 with federal COVID-19 relief money, ended last month after the city concluded it could no longer afford the $50 million effort. Instead, Cuomo’s plan calls for expanding the Fair Fares program, which provides discounted transit to low-income New Yorkers, while maintaining system reliability and preserving jobs.
As governor, Cuomo enacted policies that shaped the state’s labor and infrastructure landscape. He raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour, introduced paid family leave, protected public sector unions, and enforced prevailing wage laws. He also oversaw major construction projects, including the Second Avenue Subway, Moynihan Train Hall, airport renovations, and the Mario Cuomo Bridge, all completed with union labor.
The endorsement adds momentum to Cuomo’s mayoral campaign, aligning him with organized labor while drawing a sharp contrast with rivals promoting alternative transit models.
