NEW YORK — The Hotel Trades Council, a powerful union representing more than 35,000 workers, is throwing its support behind Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’ campaign for mayor. 

It is a significant win for Adams, and a show of force from a union representing an industry in crisis as a result of the pandemic. 

“Eric has been crystal clear about his support for protecting workers and for preserving and promoting good hospitality jobs during the pandemic recovery and beyond," Rich Maroko, president of HTC said in a statement. “We are certain that as mayor, he will be the champion that our 35,000 New York City-based members need.”

The union's endorsement is a win for Adams, who has sought to establish himself as a business- and development-friendly candidate. It is also a political test of sorts for the influential union, which has not always picked winning candidates in the past. 

In 2013, during the primary race for mayor, the group endorsed then-candidate Christine Quinn. They would eventually endorse Bill de Blasio and spend significantly ahead of the general election that year. 

Union support usually brings with it an army of volunteers that can be deployed as candidates canvass ahead of an election.

In the last few years, the union has flexed its political muscle specifically on policy issues related to the industry by creating independent expenditure accounts and supporting members of the City Council who in turn have supported legislation in recent years aimed at reining in Airbnb in New York City. 

“I was raised by a working mom in a blue-collar household, so I am deeply honored by the support of a union like HTC that has done so much for working people,” Adams said in a statement. “As mayor I will fight every day for everyday New Yorkers who need more help than ever right now.”

Union officials said they are redirecting thousands of unemployed workers to be trained in phone banking and canvassing for Adams. Of more than 35,000 members, the union says 22,566 are registered New York City voters. 

The endorsement is the first major show of support from the city's labor sector for Adams. In recent weeks, SEIU Local 1199, a major health care workers union, announced its support for Maya Wiley, and City Comptroller Scott Stringer secured the support of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. 

The United Federation of Teachers, DC37 and SEIU Local 32BJ, which represents building workers, have yet to announce their endorsements.