Jan Brewer - Governor

Brewer to Goddard: Denounce Boycott Cartel

How can Goddard be for Arizona when supported by SEIU and UFCW unions pushing boycotts to hurt Arizona’s financial future?

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today called on Terry Goddard to refuse the endorsement and support of all organizations that are actively boycotting the state of Arizona. 

Terry Goddard is endorsed and supported by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW).  These two unions have taken the lead in the efforts to financially harm the state and have also joined the lawsuit against SB 1070. 

In addition, the SEIU and UFCW have joined the National Council of La Raza in demanding that Major League Baseball move next year’s All-Star Game which is to be played in Phoenix.   The unions actively promoted the Arizona boycott at this year’s MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim and outside the White House.  Members often show up wearing their union shirts and holding signs promoting their organizations. 

 “Democrats like Terry Goddard can claim to be against the boycott, but when it comes down to it, he embraces the union interests who are leading the effort to kill Arizona’s economy,”  said Governor Brewer, “Goddard is backed by those who want to hurt Arizona.  Today, I call on Goddard to reject the interests of the boycott cartels.”

Both unions have also joined the National Council of La Raza and the American Civil Liberties Union in their lawsuit against Arizona and SB1070.  Despite claims from Democrats that the lawsuits are wrongheaded – the union lawsuit is one among the seven that were originally filed against the state.

“Both organizations have a long history of opposing Arizona’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration,” said Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen.  “The SEIU poured over $1 million in 2004 in their opposition to Proposition 200 requiring identification for public benefits.  They have also actively opposed Arizona’s employer sanctions laws.  These organizations are not concerned with Arizona’s future.”

While Arizona’s economy remains largely unharmed from the economic sanctions, the SEIU and UFCW have been somewhat successful in driving other union conventions from the state because of Arizona’s immigration law and efforts to preserve union secret balloting this November.  The SEIU also set up a misleading “hotline” that warns travelers about visiting Arizona.

“Convention business is booked several years in advance,” said Douglas Cole, Brewer Communications Director, “The reality is, by telling their union friends to go elsewhere and trying to scare tourists, the SEIU and UFCW have shown that they will stop at nothing to attempt to dampen Arizona’s economy long-term.  Whether or not they end up succeeding, why would Terry Goddard want to be affiliated with those who are aiming to do lasting damage to the state?”

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Union Endorsements

Senate – Glassman            SEIU
CD 1 – Kirkpatrick            UFCW  ($10k from SEIU)
CD 5 – Mitchell            UFCW ($10k from SEIU, $10k from UFCW)
CD 8 – Giffords            UFCW ($10k from SEIU, $10k from UFCW)
Governor – Goddard            SEIU, UFCW
Secretary of State – Deschene    SEIU
Attorney General – Rotellini        UFCW
Treasurer– Cherny            SEIU, UFCW
Superintendent – Kotterman        SEIU, UFCW
Corporation Commission – Bradley    SEIU
Corporation Commission – Garcia    SEIU, UFCW

For more information:
Boycott of Arizona backers
White House Protest
SEIU and UFCW Join Lawsuit