The Postal Workers (APWU) union has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in the presidential race.
The Postal Workers’ national executive board endorsed Obama in a unanimous vote. The more than 300,000-member union is the sixth union affiliated with the AFL-CIO to back Obama.
Postal Workers President William Burrus says Obama’s campaign offers a unique opportunity for working families.
Sen. Obama’s message is one of hope and change. His message is special, and the timing is right.
His ability to bring new participants into our nation’s democratic process—to get young people involved, and to persuade ordinary citizens that they have a real stake in politics—is an inspiration.
Among AFL-CIO affiliates, Obama also has been endorsed by the Boilermakers (IBB), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA), the Transport Workers (TWU) and the Utility Workers (UWUA), 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 for president.
Twelve unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO have endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): AFSCME, AFT, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Bricklayers (BAC), Letter Carriers (NALC), Machinists (IAM), Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA), TCU/IAM, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and 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.