AFL-CIO Decides Not to Endorse for Now, Freeing Unions to Do So

[JohnLocke]

A.F.L.-C.I.O. Decides Not to Endorse for Now, Freeing Unions to Do So
By Stven Greenhouse--New York Times
Thursday, August 9, 2007
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CHICAGO, Aug. 8 — The A.F.L.-C.I.O.’s executive council voted on Wednesday against endorsing any presidential candidate, reflecting divisions over which Democrat to support and setting the stage for its 55 member unions to make individual endorsements.

Labor leaders said several large unions were leaning strongly toward Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and others toward former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.

The labor federation, which represents 10 million union members, gave the green light to its member unions to issue endorsements a day after it sponsored a spirited outdoor debate by seven Democratic candidates before more than 10,000 union members at Soldier Field here.

The A.F.L.-C.I.O. made no endorsements because it could not muster the two-thirds support for a specific candidate. Labor leaders are highly enthusiastic about the Democratic field.

“We’ve got so many good friends on the Democratic side in this race,” said Harold A. Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “Any one of them would be far better for workers and working families than the current president.”

Union leaders say two giant public sector unions, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, are leaning toward Mrs. Clinton. But the strong support that those unions’ locals in the Midwest feel toward Senator Barack Obama of Illinois could prevent their parent unions from backing Mrs. Clinton.

Many industrial unions, most notably the United Steelworkers, are especially enthusiastic about Mr. Edwards because of his backing of many labor causes and his strong views on limiting international trade accords. Union leaders say there is a good chance that the Teamsters and Unite Here, which represents apparel, hotel and restaurant workers, will back Mr. Edwards.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/09/us/politics/09labor.html

[oasis]

1. Solid choices. America's working families need, and deserve, a winner.(nt)