Posted on 11/12/2015 3:54:45 PM PST by markomalley
Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders got his biggest union endorsement thus far Thursday as the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) announced its support for his candidacy.
Unions aren’t just major financial contributors, they also rally hoards supporters. As a result, Bernie and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton have competed for their support. The latest endorsement represents a huge victory for the Vermont socialist. The union represents 200,000 employees and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
“Politics as usual has not worked,” APWU President Mark Dimondstein said in a statement. “We should judge candidates not by their political party, not by what they say, not by what we think they stand for, but by what they do.”
Bernie was able to quickly garner a lot of support among local unions early on in his campaign. National union leaders, however, were much more hesitant, fearing he was not electable. The United Electrical Workers and the National Nurses United were some of the few national unions to officially support him.
“Applying that criterion, Sen. Bernie Sanders stands above all others as a true champion of postal workers and other workers throughout the country,” Dimondstein continued. “He doesn’t just talk the talk. He walks the walk,” he said. “He is a leader in the fight to protect the public Postal Service.”
At the same time, Hillary struggled to gain traction with the labor movement because of lingering political issues. She has since begun picking up momentum. It was her reluctance to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership that first helped Sanders begin to edge Hillary out for union support. Hillary eventually came out against the trade deal after the text was released.
In contrast, Bernie was much more adamantly opposed to the deal. He has also made issues important to the labor movement as central part of his campaign. In July, Sanders introduced a bill that would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. As a result several national unions deciding to delay endorsing anyone.
“No other candidate has his record of standing with workers on picket lines, fighting for a $15 per hour minimum wage, supporting free public college tuition, and advocating for veterans’ benefits,” Dimondstein also noted. “And, no other candidate has his record of fighting to defend and expand Social Security, promoting ‘Medicare for all,’ and opposing ‘fast track trade authority’ and rotten trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).”
APWU is also encouraging its membership to participate in rallies and events held by Labor for Bernie. The coalition includes local chapters of the American Federation of Teachers, American Postal Workers Union, Communications Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, United Brotherhood Of Carpenters, AFL-CIO, Vermont State Labor Council.
Former Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen is helping to lead the coalition. Cohen, a long time and influential union leader, announced his support for Bernie in July.
Hillary saw her most recent wave of endorsements after Vice President Joe Biden announced Oct. 21 he would not be running for president. Biden had the potential to offer unions a safe alternative between Sanders and Clinton.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) decided to back Hillary Oct. 23. Additionally, the International Longshoremen’s Association announced its support for Hillary Oct. 27. Hillary was also able to secured support with The American Federation of Teachers back in July and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers back in August.
Despite his own union’s hesitance toward Hillary, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka sent a memo to the leaders of associated unions in July telling them not to endorse Sanders.
I guess it was a matter of time before the public service unions went full-on commie.
You’d think the previous 7 years didn’t exist. All these leftist groups demanding “change” and “social justice” completely disregard the fact that Obama has been President and pretty much have given the Left what they wanted.
No No, that's Hillary's money. She needs that on top of the Great Wealth for Socialism, Whitewater and the Pork Bellies Futures funds; not to mention the Clinton Foundation Funds. She needs this to Transform Amerika following "The One" Barak Obama.
Besides the Wall Street fund, she needs every bit of it to implement Socialism or better yet in her mind Communism.
After all the Amerikan Family must be socialized so that the terms Mother and Father are no more.
Amerika is Ready for Hillary.
/sarcasm OFF
I must remember to stop using stamps or the post office, and pay all bills online.
the union ‘leaders’ are not fools
whatever we may think of them, they ain’t dumb
any idiot can see Hilary’s damaged goods
“I must remember to stop using stamps or the post office, and pay all bills online.”
And demand that your on-line shopping be delivered by any means but the USPS. Now some of the UPS/FedEx stuff gets delivered by the USPS.
Just like the vile public school teachers....but they support the beast.
And if Sanders loses to Hillary, they’d be more likely to vote for Trump...
At least once a week (including today) I get the neighbor’s mail delivered to me. And vice versa.
this says more about the unions than about Sanders. He is a known entity - a full blown communist.
We have often speculated about unions, this proves the point.
Where was the editors' union when Connor D. Wolf was in need?
Postal workers? More proof our government is statist and socialist. It is NOT politically neutral
Good catch.
That’ll teach Hillary. Had she used snail mail instead of her clever e-mail server, Bernie might not be getting this endorsement.
A Republican President should repeal civil service “reform”, bring back the spoils system, and fire the lot of them.
All political spending by unions should be banned.
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