UFT President Michael Mulgrew said that it was time to unite behind Bill de Blasio for mayor, after Bill Thompson, in a press conference on the City Hall steps this morning, asked all of his supporters to do so.

"We need to come together to make sure our school system and city are not damaged by a Republican candidate who has said he will continue the education policies of Michael Bloomberg,” Mulgrew said. “I will recommend to our executive board and our delegate assembly to endorse Bill de Blasio."

Honoring Thompson’s wishes, Mulgrew is calling an Executive Board meeting to be followed by a special Delegate Assembly on Wednesday afternoon to recommend that the UFT endorse de Blasio. 

Thompson threw his support behind de Blasio even though all the votes in the Democratic Primary have not been counted. He did so, he said, because he believes it is in the best interests of New York City that everyone pulls together in support of de Blasio to ensure that Joe Lhota is not the next mayor.

Thompson’s announcement drew Democratic leaders from across the state, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Unity was the byword of the morning.

Thompson praised de Blasio. “We share fundamental views and values,” he said. “I’m proud to stand here today and support Bill de Blasio as the next mayor of the city of New York.”

 “There is nothing more beautiful than Democratic unity,” said de Blasio, who also praised Thompson for his public service.  And he took note of the UFT members who came out for the announcement:  “I see present real heroes, people who teach our children every day.”   

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who reportedly brokered Thompson’s announcement, joined the two men at the news conference. “New York City certainly loves its primaries,” Cuomo said. “And we had a doozy this year.”