UAW Local 2110’s Claire Valdez Ceremonially Sworn In Alongside UAW Members as New York Assembly Member

On Saturday, February 1, New York Assembly Member Claire Valdez hosted a local inauguration in Sunnyside after taking office in Albany at the beginning of last month.

Brandon Mancilla, director of UAW Region 9A, swore her in and said she can empathize with the struggles of union members and workers because she has been a leader within the labor movement: “With Claire, we don’t have to explain what it’s like to be a working-class person because she’s lived it. We don’t have to explain to her why unions matter because she was a leader within it.”

Although she was officially sworn in last month in Albany, she chose to host a second ceremonial inauguration in Sunnyside to pay tribute to the elected officials and members of the local community who campaigned on her behalf, including many UAW members.

In the News

• Sunnyside Post: Democratic Socialist Claire Valdez celebrates inauguration with local leaders in Sunnyside (Feb. 4)

Photo credit: Shane O’Brien