UAW Backs Obama for President
Posted in UAW Backs Obama for President
by Seth Michaels, Jun 10, 2008
http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/06/10/uaw-backs-obama-for-president/
The UAW has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president.
The UAW, which has more than 1 million members, announced today the union is endorsing Obama after a unanimous vote of its International Executive Board.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said Obama was an inspiring leader who would fight for working families.
From the streets of Chicago to the state Legislature in Springfield, Ill., to the halls of the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has been a voice for dignity and justice for working people. He has a strong program for a safe and secure America, which will protect our citizens and help our country prosper in a new century.
On every issue that counts, we can count on Barack Obama to stand with our members, our families and our communities.
Sen. Obama supports free choice in the workplace; he will fight to deliver quality, affordable health care to every American; and he understands the need to change our trade policies so that U.S. workers and U.S. companies can compete fairly in the global economy.
Obama outlined his economic policy in a speech in Raleigh, N.C., yesterday.
Obama also has been endorsed by AFGE, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the Boilermakers (IBB), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA), Postal Workers (APWU) and the Utility Workers (UWUA).
Three unions that initially endorsed former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.)—the Mine Workers (UMWA), Transport Workers (TWU) and United Steelworkers (USW)—also have given their endorsements to Obama.
Thirteen unions endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: AFSCME, AFT, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Bricklayers (BAC), Letter Carriers (NALC), Machinists (IAM), Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Plasterers and Cement Masons (OP&CMIA), Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA), TCU/IAM, 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 Fire Fighters (IAFF) union, which endorsed Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), has not announced a new endorsement.
In August 2007, the AFL-CIO Executive Council said it would not make an endorsement at that time 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.
