Connecticut AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Lori Pelletier defended the union’s decision to hear from only major party candidates Monday as third-party gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Pelto bemoaned being shut out of the group’s convention.
Labor delegates heard a campaign pitch Monday from Republican Tom Foley and were scheduled to hear from Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy later that afternoon. The union is expected to endorse a candidate Tuesday.
Pelto, a former Democratic lawmaker and critic of Malloy, is collecting petitions to appear on the ballot in November under the newly-created Education and Democracy Party. He issued a press release Monday touting his labor credentials and expressing disappointment that union leaders did not respond to his requests to address the group.
“While I appreciate that reasonable people can disagree when it comes to politics and a number of union leaders have already committed to Malloy, the AFL-CIO leadership’s decision to refuse to allow me to speak to the delegates responsible for endorsing a candidate for governor is insulting and flies in the face of the democratic principles that are purported to be among the core values of unions,” he said.
Pelletier told reporters she was comfortable inviting only major party candidates.
“The reality is I don’t like that we have a two party system. I wish it was different. But the playing field is what it is. The fact is, it’s going to be a major party that wins. Until that changes, we have some change in that electorate, then I am perfectly comfortable with how we decided to invite the candidates to come to this convention,” she said.
Pelletier said she spoke with Pelto at length before he announced his candidacy. Although he asked about third party candidates, she said the former lawmaker never mentioned he was going to run as one.
Pelletier said she told Pelto that a third-party candidate would be a spoiler in this year’s election.
“I said ‘Third parties don’t work. You’re going to be a spoiler. Ross Perot was a spoiler for Herbert Walker Bush. Ralph Nader was a spoiler for Al Gore. You’re going to be a spoiler. My members don’t need a spoiler. My members need someone in the governor’s office that respects collective bargaining,’” she said.
When Pelto began exploring a third party run, he said he would not become an official candidate unless he determined he could be a viable candidate and not just spoil the race for Malloy, who won a narrow election in 2010.
However, Pelto made an official announcement last week, cutting the exploratory period short so he could be considered for an endorsement by the state’s labor unions and advocacy groups. So far, the Connecticut chapters of the American Federation of Teacher and the United Auto Workers have endorsed Malloy.
He said AFL-CIO’s decision not let him speak was “unfair and undemocratic.”
Support authentic, locally owned and operated public service journalism!
“I am an announced and active candidate for governor. I am a life-long supporter of unions and the rights of workers to collectively bargain. I retired from the Connecticut General Assembly with one of the highest AFL-CIO COPE ratings of any legislator and a long record of fighting for the rights of workers,” he said. “Both my parents were members of Connecticut unions and I, myself, was a member of OPEIU during former Congressman Sam Gejdenson’s first campaign . . . The decision to prevent me from addressing the union delegates is simply unfair and undemocratic.”
More Labor News

Lamont Inks New Employment Law Backed By Unions
In a victory for state labor unions, Gov. Ned Lamont ignored a lobbying effort by business organizations and signed a bill Tuesday prohibiting employers from holding “captive audience” meetings to potentially discourage workers from unionizing.
Keep reading
States With The Largest Unionized Workforces
Where does Connecticut stand in the list of states with the most unionized employees?
Keep reading
Business Leaders Make Push To Veto Captive Audience Bill
Connecticut business leaders are leaning on Gov. Ned Lamont to veto a bill that would restrict what employers can say in the workplace. The bill, which has been a priority of labor unions for years, is being described by business owners as an unconstitutional attempt to restrict workplace communications and an infringement on employer free…
Keep reading
ANALYSIS | It’s A Wrap: The Winners and Losers of the 2022 Session
It was a short legislative session, but the House and the Senate were able to move a lot of business this year, including the passage of a $24-billion budget with around $600 million in tax cuts.
Keep reading
‘Captive Audience’ Bill Headed To Governor’s Desk
Legislation prohibiting Connecticut employers from holding “captive audience” meetings to discourage workers from organizing received final approval in the House late Friday despite Republican arguments it was preempted by federal law. The bill passed in a 88 to 56 vote, generally along party lines. Eight Democrats joined all but one Republican in voting against it.…
Keep reading
Health Care Workers Call for New Hires
After a record number of health care workers are expected to retire this year, health care staff called on Gov. Ned Lamont to commit to filling 1,000 vacant positions by August 1 of this year. A record 1,137 state workers who notified the state that they will retire this year comes at a moment of…
Keep reading