RHODE ISLAND AFL-CIO UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSES SECRETARY OF STATE RALPH MOLLIS BID FOR RE-ELECTION

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 10:10am

 

Providence, RI— The Executive Board of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, representing over 80,000 union members across the state, has unanimously voted to endorse Secretary of State Ralph Mollis' re-election bid in the 2010 Primary and General Elections. Secretary Mollis' record of fair, open and honest government during his tenure as Secretary of State was the major factor in the board’s endorsing the Secretary's re-election bid. 

 

As Secretary of State Ralph Mollis has - made it easier for new companies to do business with the state, resulting in 22,000 new businesses getting started in the last four years, registered record numbers of Rhode Island residents to vote, made government more transparent by posting online public meeting notices, appointments to state boards and commissions, and government contracts with consultants.

Especially important to organized labor was Secretary Mollis' recent decision to move the National Association of Secretaries of State Summer Conference, of which he was host, out of the Westin Providence Hotel and into the Rhode Island Convention Center in support of UNITE HERE Local 217’s boycott of the Westin Providence Hotel. Mollis' willingness to stand-up and take action for the rights of workers greatly impressed the Rhode Island AFL-CIO Executive Board.

In announcing the endorsement Rhode Island AFL-CIO President George Nee said “Secretary Mollis' has provided Rhode Island businesses, voters, and workers four years of dedicated service and unparalleled access to Rhode Island government making it easier to start a business, take part in the democratic process, and become an informed citizen. The Rhode Island AFL-CIO proud to stand with Ralph Mollis and will do all it can to ensure that he is Rhode Island's Secretary of State for another four years.”