IUPAT Endorses Obama

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/06/20/iupat-endorses-obama/

by Seth Michaels, Jun 20, 2008

The Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) union has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president.



The 140,000-member union announced its endorsement yesterday.

IUPAT President James Williams says Obama would protect workers’ rights and fight for an economy that works for everyone:

Barack Obama is a champion for working Americans, and his economic plan has the vision and strength to secure American prosperity for the future. The IUPAT and our members are proud to stand with Sen. Obama for real change.

IUPAT endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) during the primaries. Clinton suspended her campaign and offered her support to Obama earlier this month. AFSCME, which initially endorsed Clinton, also offered Obama its support yesterday.

Obama also has been endorsed by AFGE, the Boilermakers (IBB), the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA), the Postal Workers (APWU), the UAN, the UAW and the Utility Workers (UWUA).

Three unions that initially endorsed former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.)—the Mine Workers (UMWA), Transport Workers (TWU) and United Steelworkers (USW)—also have given their endorsements to Obama.

Eleven other AFL-CIO affiliate unions endorsed Clinton: AFT, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Bricklayers (BAC), Letter Carriers (NALC), Machinists (IAM), Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), Plasterers and Cement Masons (OP&CMIA), Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA), TCU/IAM, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the 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 Fire Fighters (IAFF) union, which endorsed Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), has not announced a new endorsement.

In August 2007, the AFL-CIO Executive Council said it would not make an endorsement at that time 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.