Blakeman Takes on Hochul Over Union Issues in New York Governor’s Race
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has launched a vigorous campaign to attract union support away from Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, criticizing her recent vetoes of labor-backed legislation. As Nassau County executive, Blakeman particularly condemned Hochul’s decision to block a bill requiring two operators on every Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) train – a measure strongly supported by the Transport Workers Union. He also criticized her vetoes of several bills that would have enhanced pensions and benefits for law enforcement officers. Blakeman has positioned himself as a champion of working New Yorkers, declaring, “For too long, the hardworking men and women of New York State have been at a disadvantage because they’ve had a state government that doesn’t understand their needs.” He pledged to work alongside union leaders to ensure fair pay and benefits, emphasizing that “the working people of New York are our greatest asset.”
During an interview on “Cats Roundtable” radio show, Blakeman connected his pro-labor stance with criticism of the Hochul administration’s migrant policies. He argued that New York could better afford to support its workforce if the state hadn’t spent approximately $4.5 billion over the past three years housing and feeding thousands of migrants, including those who entered the country illegally through the southern border. “It’s a policy of you come here, you get more than the residents do. You get more than the taxpayers do,” Blakeman stated, promising to change this approach if elected. This strategy aims to appeal not only to union members but also to voters concerned about immigration issues, creating a potential coalition that crosses traditional party lines in a state where Blakeman faces steep odds as a Republican.
The MTA crew size bill has become a flashpoint in the race, highlighting deeper differences in approaches to public service and safety. TWU president John Samuelsen voiced strong support for Blakeman, claiming he has “3,000 conductors looking to vote for Blakeman” and criticizing Hochul for siding with “the abundance bros and the real estate interests” rather than transit workers. Samuelsen argued that one-person train operations make “subway travel less safe by removing the conductor” who serves as eyes and ears on the trains. Blakeman reinforced this message on social media, stating, “Conductors are our first line of defense against crime.” This safety-focused messaging aims to resonate with New Yorkers concerned about crime on public transportation, though it’s worth noting that one-person train operations have been implemented successfully in other transit systems worldwide.
Governor Hochul defended her veto of the MTA bill on financial and operational grounds, stating it would “cost as much as $10 million annually, reducing service, and limiting the MTA’s ability to benefit in modern rolling stock and signals.” Her position received support from transit watchdogs and business groups, including the Citizens Budget Commission and the Partnership for New York City, who released a joint statement arguing the bill “would have done the opposite [of providing world-class transit] by raising MTA operating costs and constraining the MTA’s ability to implement modern operating methods, adopt new technologies, and provide better service for riders.” The debate reflects a fundamental tension between union job protection and modernization of the transit system, with legitimate concerns on both sides about safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
The controversy extends beyond just the MTA bill to a broader set of labor issues. Blakeman criticized Hochul for vetoing several bills that would have improved benefits for law enforcement officers, including measures allowing NYPD officers to count prior service toward their pension, enabling NYC emergency medical technicians to opt into a 25-year retirement program, and guaranteeing additional paid leave for public employees called to military service. These vetoes affect a wide range of public servants and potentially give Blakeman an opening with traditionally Democratic-leaning union households. The debate around these bills highlights the challenging fiscal decisions facing New York’s leadership, with Hochul citing the lack of identified funding sources as her rationale for the vetoes, noting they would cost state and local governments $183.3 million in the near term and $347.5 million over time.
Blakeman’s union outreach represents a strategic attempt to overcome the significant demographic challenges he faces in New York’s gubernatorial race. In a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2-to-1 and where no Republican has won statewide office since 2002, Blakeman needs to build unusual coalitions to have a chance at victory. Despite Hochul’s frontrunner status, polls suggest half of New Yorkers want a new governor, creating a potential opening for Blakeman. His appeal to union members – traditionally reliable Democratic voters – represents a calculated effort to peel away support from Hochul’s base. The effectiveness of this strategy remains to be seen, as does the question of whether labor issues alone will be enough to overcome partisan loyalty in a polarized political environment. What’s clear, however, is that labor policy, public safety, and fiscal responsibility will remain central themes as the campaign progresses toward election day.
