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Utility Workers Back Obama |
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Today, the Utility Workers (UWUA) endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president.
The Utility Workers union represents 70,000 active and retired workers in the gas, water, electrical and nuclear industries. It is the fourth AFL-CIO affiliated union to endorse Obama.
D. Michael Langford, the national president of the UWUA, said Obama’s policies on energy were what made him stand out in a strong field.
Sen. Obama understands our issues, supports our goals and will do what is right for utility workers, our families, our communities and our country. We join him in his fight for change in America that will put working people first.
We have been fortunate to have an exceptional field of Democratic candidates who have all pledged to help fix the problems facing working people. There is a consensus that we must raise wages, create fair trade, protect pensions and restore workers’ rights. However, we believe that Senator Obama also shows exceptional leadership in the area of energy independence.
Obama also has been endorsed by the Boilermakers (IBB), the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA) and the Transport Workers (TWU), which initially gave an endorsement to former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.).
Two other unions that endorsed Edwards, the Mine Workers (UMWA) and United Steelworkers (USW), have not announced any plans to endorse another candidate in the 2008 presidential election.
Twelve unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO have endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): AFSCME, AFT, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the Bricklayers (BAC), the Letter Carriers (NALC), the Machinists (IAM), the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA), TCU/IAM, the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the United Transportation Union (UTU).
The IAM and IUPAT endorsements of Clinton in the Democratic primaries were accompanied by endorsements of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the Republican primaries.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the UAW have announced they will not make endorsements during the primary season. The Fire Fighters (IAFF) union, which endorsed Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), has not announced a new endorsement.
In August, the AFL-CIO Executive Council said it would not yet make an endorsement for a 2008 presidential candidate, freeing AFL-CIO unions to endorse candidates for the caucuses and primaries. The AFL-CIO will continue the Working Families Vote 2008 campaign to help elect a worker-friendly Congress and president.
The next contests in the 2008 presidential election will be held on March 4. Primaries are set for Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont and Texas.
1 Comment
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Let’s not lose sight of the need to elect a labor-friendly Congress as well as a pro-labor president. We need to see passage of laws such as the free choice act, and that requires a union-friendly House and Senate as well as a president who won’t veto it.
Given the state of the economy, I am putting labor No. 1 this election, ahead of other issues that concern me deeply such as abortion and gun rights. Fortunately, my congressman is good on all the issues that concern me.