AFL-CIO endorses Obama for president
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By JESSE J. HOLLAND
AP Labor Writer
Jun 26, 1:20 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) --
The AFL-CIO endorsed Barack Obama for president Thursday, uniting the nation's 15 million union workers behind the Illinois senator and giving him full access to labor's massive bank accounts and political machinery.
As expected, the leaders of the nation's largest labor organization voted unanimously to endorse the Illinois senator, freeing the organization and its 56 unions to spend parts of its $200 million war chest on his campaign.
"We're proud to stand with Sen. Obama to help our nation chart a course that will improve life for generations of working people and our children," said John Sweeney, the AFL-CIO's president.
Union support is key for Democratic candidates because of labor's ability to turn out union voters and deep pockets.Between the AFL-CIO and its chief rival, the Change to Win labor organization,
the nation's labor movement plans to spend around $300 million on the 2008 elections. Change to Win, made up of seven powerful unions that broke away from the AFL-CIO in 2005, already has endorsed Obama. The AFL-CIO represents 9 million union members; Change to Win, 6 million.
The AFL-CIO says one in every four voters going to the polls in November will be a union household voter, and its planned campaigns will reach more than 13 million people, including in key states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
"We want to engage our members and all working people on the need for action on the issues that make a difference in our daily lives," said Ed Hill, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. (IBEW)
Labor unions are also reliable Democratic donors.More...
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