Some 23 unions announce support for Clinton

SAN DIEGO – Although the AFL-CIO will not be endorsing a presidential candidate at its executive council meeting here this week 23 member unions announced this morning that they were backing former Secretary of State Clinton in her bid for the Democratic nomination.

“Secretary Clinton has proven herself as a fighter and champion working people and their families need in the White House to restore that opportunity,” the unions said in a joint statement.

“With the Supreme Court nomination looming and critical cases on workers rights, voting rights, the environment, women’s health, immigration and others hanging in the balance, the labor movement will support the candidate whose vision and plans for the country can face withering scrutiny of a general election campaign and carry us to victory on November,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers,  one of the unions backing Clinton.

“Secretary Clinton has detailed, progressive plans to create good jobs, advance workers rights to a fair wage, a union and collective bargaining; rebuild our economy and our infrastructure; expand access to educational opportunity; advance racial and gender equality; reign in Wall Street; fix our broken immigration system; improve and expand access to health care; keep America safe from our enemies; invest in good jobs in the energy sector; combat climate change; and tear down barriers that keep Americans from achieving their dreams,” the joint statement read.

The unions backing Clinton made it clear in their statement, however, that because of the high stakes in this election the labor movement will unite behind one candidate in November. “There is no doubt.” the statement read, “that working people will come together as one for victory in this election. The stakes are too high.”

The joint statement was signed by unions including AFSCME, the American Federation of Government Employees, the American Federation of Teachers, the International Alliance of Theatrical Employees, the Ironworkers, the International Association of Machinists, the International Longshoremens’ Association, the Bricklayers, the Operating Engineers, the Painters, the Laborers and the Building Trades Department.

Photo:  Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally in Las Vegas, held by the Culinary Union to support a union drive at the Trump Hotel.   |  John Locher/AP