AFL-CIO supports Franklin for mayor

March 18, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

The Trumbull County vice president of the Mahoning/Trumbull AFL-CIO Labor Council says the organization gave its endorsement to Doug Franklin for Warren mayor over United Auto Workers Union Local President Jim Graham because Franklin has a “better vision and plan for the city.”

Ed Machingo, who also is president of Local 1375 of the United Steelworkers of America, said the fact that Graham is a longtime labor leader didn’t factor into the decision much because Franklin is also a “card-carrying member of the UAW.”

Franklin worked 25 years at GM Lordstown before becoming Warren’s safety-service director in January 2004.

Machingo said choosing between Franklin and Graham was “tough,” but Franklin had a “better plan for the city and the experience. He’s held all the positions in the city.” Franklin was a city council member for 14 years before becoming service director.

The labor council is an umbrella organization for about 60 unions in the two counties — practically every union in the area, said William Pedisak Jr., council president.

The Teamsters union and regional United Auto Workers unions are not under the council umbrella, Pedisak said, but he doesn’t feel that had anything to do with the choice between Graham and Franklin.

Graham said he thanks the council for a “fair and unbiased screening,” adding, “They picked Doug Franklin for whatever reason, and I wish them the best of luck.”

Franklin said he feels good about the endorsement and said he thinks it “reflects what we’ve been able to accomplish at the bargaining table” with Warren’s unions.

“I think it reflects the good relationship we’ve had,” Franklin said.

The labor council also endorsed Bob Dean over Robert Marchese for Warren council president, Helen Rucker for council at large, and incumbents Marti Morn, Cheryl Saffold and Eddie Colbert for ward council.

It endorsed Jeff Adler for Girard Muncipal Court, Reynald Paolone for Girard council president, Vince Schuyler for Girard council at large, Philip Vigorinto for Newton Falls Municipal Court judge, Michael Lastic for Niles council at large and Michael Sullivan for Lordstown mayor.