State's largest labor union backs Obama

[Omaha Steve]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004168055_webendorse07m.html

By Ralph Thomas

Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — Sen. Barack Obama's campaign announced today it has been endorsed by the state's largest labor group — the Service Employee's International Union (SEIU).

The endorsement could be a big boost for Obama as he heads into the Democratic Party's precinct caucuses on Saturday.

Congressman Adam Smith of Tacoma, Obama's state chairman, announced the endorsement this afternoon in a conference call with reporters.

"Nobody makes a bigger difference in organizing campaigns in this state than SEIU," Smith said.

The union, which has about 100,000 members statewide, had previously endorsed former Sen. John Edwards. But after a dismal showing in the early contests, Edwards dropped out of the race last week.

Leaders from the SEIU's five major locals in Washington met Tuesday to decide whether to throw its support to Obama or his Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

FULL story at link.