Uniformed Firefighters Association of Jersey City Endorses Bill O’Dea for Mayor

Speaking before a room full of enthusiastic supporters, mayoral candidate and County Commissioner Bill O’Dea accepted the endorsement today of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Jersey City, IAFF Local 1066. Representing 488 active members who put their lives on the line every day to keep the people of Jersey City safe, Local 1066 leaders pledged to work hard to get O’Dea elected as the city’s next Mayor because of his clear record of supporting the city’s rank and file firefighters and his plans to improve public safety operations. 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to earn the support of Jersey City’s firefighters, the brave men and women who put their own safety in jeopardy to protect all of us and help our city respond to all types of disasters,” said O’Dea. “As Mayor I will stop the dangerous closures of fire companies, ensure that we have the manpower, training and equipment necessary to keep our community safe at all times, and significantly improve JCFD operations, benefiting both our firefighters and all residents.” 

The IAFF Local 1066 endorsement comes after an open process that allowed union members to vote for their top choice in the election, which O’Dea won overwhelmingly. Team O'Dea Council candidates Councilman Danny Rivera, Kristen Zadroga-Hart, Saunda Robinson Green and Joel Brooks also attended the endorsement event. 

“Bill O’Dea knows Jersey City better than any other candidate and he fully understands what our members need in order to do their jobs and keep our community safe,” said Jack Collins, President of IAFF Local 1066. “Bill has always had our backs and stood up for public safety and labor. Now we proudly stand with him.” 

The endorsement from IAFF Local 1066 adds to O’Dea’s impressive list of labor endorsements, including the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council, Hudson County Central Labor Council, Jersey City Education Association, Municipal Employees Local 245, 32BJ SEIU, Teamsters Local 560, District 1199J and others.