The New Jersey State AFL-CIO recently announced its endorsement of Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) for re-election, citing his years of work in the United States Senate on behalf of working families and labor issues.

          "Sen. Frank Lautenberg is a champion for working families in New Jersey and across the country.  His dedication to fighting for the men and women who make up the labor movement is well documented.  The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to support Sen. Lautenberg for re-election," said Charles Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.

          "I have always been proud to stand strong with our hard working families in the labor movement and across our state, so I am honored to have the support of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and its members.  The Bush Administration has been no friend to labor, but these men and women know that they will always have a friend and ally in Frank Lautenberg.  I will keep fighting for your right to join a union, and will not stop until the Employee Free Choice Act becomes the Employee Free Choice Law.  And I will keep fighting to make sure you receive the fair wages, affordable and accessible health care and retirement security you earned," said Sen. Lautenberg.

          Sen. Lautenberg was a co-sponsor of and voted for the law that raised the minimum wage in 2007 for the first time since 1996.  This law increases the minimum wage by $2.10 an hour over two years to $7.25 an hour.

          Sen. Lautenberg co-sponsored, spoke on the Senate floor in support of, and voted for the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to join a union without employer coercion or intimidation.

          Sen. Lautenberg also cosponsored and voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which would overturn the Supreme Court's decision in the Ledbetter case that limited workers' ability to sue their employers for pay discrimination.