Labor leaders from around the state are traveling to Albany today to attend a special barbecue Gov. Andrew Cuomo is hosting for them at the executive mansion.

Administration sources confirmed the event, noting the governor hosted something similar last year. I haven’t managed to get the guest list yet, though I’m trying.

Since his 2010 campaign, Cuomo has had a better relationship with the building trade segment of organized labor, which trends a little more conservative than the so-called “progressive” segment that includes 1199, the techers and the public employees.

The more liberal unions have had a rather rocky relationship with Cuomo, dating back to his campaign proposals of a wage freeze for state workers, spending cuts and pension reform – all of which have been enacted since he took office in January 2011.

NYSUT and CSEA declined to support candidate Cuomo in 2010. PEF endorsed the governor, but former union president Ken Brynien later said he regretted that decision.

A lot of ink has been spilled about Cuomo’s up-and-down relationship with the state’s labor community, and we’ve all speculated about how he might try to mend his fences with various unions in advance of his 2014 re-election campaign and potential 2016 White House bid.

He’ll have to try a lot harder with some unions than others. For example, 1199 has long been a strong Cuomo backer – even playing a key role in his comeback from the near-death experience of his failed 2002 run for governor – and continues to reap rewards from that relationship now that he’s in office.

The labor barbecue was not on Cuomo’s public schedule, which indicated the governor would be in Albany today, but didn’t reveal his plans.

 

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