The Civil Service Employees Association on Monday endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as the labor union faces potential headwinds with local and state budget crises ignited by the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Joe Biden clearly aligns with the majority of issues that concern our union and impact working men and women in public service, and we’re going to do everything in our considerable power to get him elected," said CSEA President Mary Sullivan. “We are proud to join our millions of union sisters and brothers in AFSCME in supporting Joe Biden, who has a long history of being a strong ally to working women and men. Unlike the current administration, Joe Biden has plans to move us forward on the issues that matter most to working Americans, and we urge all union members to vote to elect him President.”

The endorsement came on Labor Day, traditionally recognized as the kickoff of the general election season. 

CSEA is the largest public-sector labor union in New York, representing workers at the state and local level. 

The nod from the union comes as local and state governments are facing a budget crunch amid the economic recession created by the pandemic. Governments are seeking billions of dollars in combined aid to offset the revenue losses of the year and some municipalities are already undergoing layoffs. 

CSEA plans to hold virtual campaign events in the lead up to the election and will conduct its get-out-the-vote operation. The union is also encouraging early voting this year ahead of the November 3 vote.