The 200,000 member American Postal Workers Union, an AFL-CIO affiliate, has endorsed Democratic presidential challenger Sen. Bernie Sanders, providing him with a big labor backing to offset the support Hillary Clinton has from other unions.
The union announced Thursday that it voted to back Sanders last week and said it picked Sanders because he does more than talk about helping labor.
“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,” President Mark Dimondstein.
“Applying that criteria, Sen. Bernie Sanders stands above all others as a true champion of postal workers and other workers throughout the country,” he said.
Sanders had worked hard for the endorsement and his progressive, activist style during an October speech seemed to do the trick, said the union.
Sanders is also backed by National Nurses United.
The postal union said it is encouraging workers to get out and help Sanders. From their statement issued this morning:
Sanders’ long commitment to working people beyond postal workers was also an important reason for the endorsement. “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,” said Dimondstein. “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).”
The National Executive Board is encouraging union members, who live and work in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories, to participate in Sanders rallies, join Labor for Bernie, and help elect Bernie Sanders president.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
