Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, December 3, 1993                   TAG: 9312030226
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

UNIONS TO SUPPORT GARRISON CANDIDACY

A dozen union leaders appeared with Garrison at a news conference Thursday to say they are backing him in his contest with Al Wilson.

Garrison said he welcomes the increasing influence of organized labor in the city Democratic Party in recent years.

The expanding role of unions should frighten only those with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and superficial tranquility, Garrison said.

C.W. Toney, president of the Southwestern Virginia Building Trades Council, said union leaders are backing Garrison because they believe he will better represent their concerns than Wilson.

"He represents all groups and we think he will stand up for us," said Toney. He noted that Garrison also has the backing of some black leaders, teachers and nurses.

Garrison has the unanimous endorsement of the Roanoke United Central Labor Council, a group which includes representatives from most unions in the Roanoke Valley.

Garrison said he appeared with the union leaders because he wants voters to know.

Unlike some politicians, Garrison said, he was not going to seek labor support and then try to distance himself from it.

The Democrats will elect a new chairman at a mass meeting Tuesday, which is expected to attract a large crowd.

Union leaders have played a key role in the nomination of Mayor David Bowers and Commissioner of Revenue-elect Marsha Fielder by organizing hundreds of party members to attend mass meetings.

Some party leaders have criticized union leaders for trying to dictate the selection of the party's nominees, but Garrison said he believes it has been healthy and has strengthened the party.

Garrison, a former Republican, said he also had labor's support when he was elected commonwealth's attorney more than two decades ago. He said he has found that union leaders keep their word.

The union influence is helping to bring more openness and participation in the party, he said.

Whatever their views of the merit of a primary election to choose City Council candidates, Garrison said, most Democrats would agree that that step would not have been taken were it not for the involvement of labor in party affairs in recent years.

"The large attendance at recent nominating mass meetings has been a huge plus for the party," he said, "and has strengthened rather than weakened the eventual party nominee for the general election."

Keywords:
POLITICS