In an attempt to attract Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler to speak at their national convention, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has endorsed Poehler's character on the show, Leslie Knope, in her race for city council on the show. While the announcement, which is accompanied by several web videos and a Tumblr site, is designed to attract Poehler's attention, it also does a good job of raising media awareness about the plight of government workers. Numerous websites — including Vulture.com, Mediaite and Hollywood Reporter — that would normally not cover labor issues or an organization have covered the story.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents 250,000 parks and recreation workers nationwide, today endorsed the candidacy of Leslie Knope for city council in Pawnee, Ind., in a blatant attempt to draft Amy Poehler to speak at the public employee union’s biennial convention in June. AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee had this to say about the endorsement:

“We proudly endorse Leslie Knope for Pawnee City Council. Knope’s public service and her passion for making our communities safer, healthier and stronger make her the right person for the job.”