An Embattled Adams Gathers His Union Allies At Gracie Mansion

NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams, who has been laying low with a reported medical condition this week, hosted two union presidents at Gracie Mansion on Monday night as he contemplates his political future.

The meetings — confirmed by two people with direct knowledge of them, who were granted anonymity to freely discuss a private event — come as Adams grapples with an upcoming corruption trial, sagging poll numbers and dire financial problems.

Adams spoke privately to Manny Pastreich, president of building service workers union 32BJ SEIU, and Rich Maroko, who heads the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the two people said.

“Rich’s response was if you’re in, we’re in with you,” hotel union representative Austin Shafran said.

In a statement, Pastreich said he and the mayor discussed “issues that directly impact our over 80,000 32BJ SEIU members in the city — like local labor rights and protections, the cost of living, housing affordability, healthcare costs, and solidarity with immigrant workers and communities.”

He made no commitment to backing Adams, saying 32BJ will start its mayoral endorsement process n February.

Those unions, as well as the city’s largest municipal labor group — District Council 37 — endorsed Adams in the 2021 Democratic primary and were key to his success in that competitive race. As he faces enormous challenges that could result in him being a one-term mayor, Adams appears to be looking to lock in his allies early.

As things stand, the mayor is planning to run for reelection in the June 24 primary, but he has missed out on the chance for public matching funds worth several million dollars, and he owes his lawyers millions more. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is leading early polls and Adams’ only apparent way out of a federal indictment is a pardon or some other reprieve from President Donald Trump, who is unpopular in New York.

Adams has not had a public schedule this week, as he deals with a medical issue that his staff has not divulged much detail on.

Michael Gartland contributed to this report.