North Alabama’s Unions Announce Municipal Endorsements

HUNTSVILLE, AL — Following a special called meeting of local union delegates on Monday, July 27, 2026, the North Alabama Area Labor Council (NAALC), AFL-CIO voted to endorse a slate of candidates for the upcoming Huntsville municipal elections.

NAALC, which represents 12 affiliated local unions and thousands of working families across North Alabama, based its endorsements on a screening process. Every candidate running for Huntsville City Council was sent a questionnaire detailing where they stand on key economic justice issues, workplace safety, municipal boards, and the council’s newly launched "Workers' Agenda." 

The council has voted unanimously to endorse the following candidates for the Huntsville municipal elections:

• Huntsville City Council, District 2: Thomas Casez
• Huntsville City Council, District 3: Liliana Peinder

"Our endorsed candidates represent leaders who aren't just paying lip service to working-class Huntsville. They have committed to concrete policy changes that put working families first," said Jacob Morrison, District 2 resident and President of the North Alabama Area Labor Council. "Huntsville's working class is the engine of this city's unprecedented economic growth, yet our families face skyrocketing housing costs, childcare deficits, and transit gaps. These endorsed candidates have pledged to stand side-by-side with organized labor to amplify the voices of working class residents" 

Demanding Concrete Commitments to Huntsville Workers

Rather than relying on vague campaign promises, the NAALC required candidates to address direct, material issues impacting Huntsville's working-class neighborhoods:

1. Workforce Infrastructure: Candidates were pressed on how they will support vital workforce infrastructure—particularly public transit and affordable childcare—to ease the burden on working parents and expand regional workforce participation.
2. Working-Class Voice in Local Government: Endorsed candidates committed to actively appointing rank-and-file working people to municipal boards, commissions, and local authorities, ensuring everyday workers have a direct seat at the decision-making table.
3. A Tax Reprieve for Working Families: The council secured commitments from candidates to address the punitive local sales tax burden on medical and household essentials, including a specific push to eliminate city sales taxes on hearing aids.
4. Advancing the Workers' Agenda: Endorsed candidates explicitly pledged to partner with the NAALC to advance the "North Alabama Workers' Agenda," a member-driven municipal platform designed to champion workplace safety, fair wages, and collective organizing rights.

"For too long, municipal policy has been dominated by top-down consultant reports and corporate development interests," said Adam Keller, a union stagehand and NAALC Political Committee Chair. "By engaging with these candidates, asking tough questions and bringing their responses directly to our members, we are hoping to shine a light on Huntsville's political arena. Working-class Huntsville deserves representation that fights for need over greed, and we are ready to mobilize our membership to turn out the union vote." 

“Let’s back Thomas Casez for City council to make sure our growth actually supports union jobs, infrastructure, and good schools” said James Tate, President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 2766. “He’s focused on protecting all families from rising utility costs and keeping local government open and accessible to all of us.”

“I support Liliana Peinder because she’s community oriented” said April Traylor, a member of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 366. “She spoke about improving quality of life for seniors and transportation issues affecting multiple groups within her district.”

“Liliana Peinder has my vote,” said Travis McCoy, a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 462 and District 3 resident. “Because not only does she support education, the working class, and unions, but because she is one of us, not a member of the privileged elite.” 

A Movement Beyond Election Day

While the NAALC is proud to endorse these pro-worker candidates, the council emphasized that its work does not end at the ballot box. NAALC plans to coordinate member-to-member voter education campaigns, neighborhood canvasses, and direct volunteer mobilizations to get out the union vote leading up to Election Day on Aug. 25.

Furthermore, the council expressed deep appreciation to every candidate who participated in the screening process and shared their vision for Huntsville’s future.

"We are incredibly grateful to all the candidates who took the time to answer our questions and engage with the labor movement," said Morrison. "Elections are a starting point, not the finish line. Beyond Election Day, the NAALC is committed to working with any willing partner, regardless of campaign outcomes, to advance our Workers' Agenda, and make Huntsville a city where every working-class family can thrive."

To read the candidate responses and stay updated on the mobilization campaign, visit northalabamalabor.org.

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The North Alabama Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is the regional federation of local labor unions representing thousands of union members and their families across Blount, Cullman, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. Re-chartered in 2020, the NAALC is a democratically elected body dedicated to representing the interests of working people and making our communities better for all.