Long Island?s illegal immigrant population got support from an unlikely group Thursday.

The nation?s largest affiliation of unions, the AFL-CIO, has signed an agreement with the National Day Labor Organizing Network to help improve wages and working conditions for day laborers. Officials say a top goal of the deal is the long-term sustainability of day laborer centers. Immigrant advocates say the agreement is a good sign for a better future for immigrants in general.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy says he believes the AFL-CIO is trying to do the right thing, but doesn?t feel the organization is going about it the right way. Levy says encouraging day laborer worksites promotes the hiring of illegal workers.