Teamsters now split on NC Democratic Senate race

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The Charlotte branch of the Teamsters union broke with its leadership Monday on a U.S. Senate endorsement, saying a candidate went back on his commitment to a pro-labor proposal.

Teamsters Local 71 said it is endorsing Secretary of State Elaine Marshall for the May 4 Democratic primary. The local president, Ted Russell, said his members were concerned after candidate Cal Cunningham's comments in an interview with The Associated Press that he would not pursue a so-called "card check" plan to make it easier for unions to organize.

Russell said he believed Cunningham, who won the endorsement of Teamsters leadership, recanted on a commitment to the idea.

"We don't need that," said Russell, whose unit has about 3,800 members. "We see enough of that already."

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/7443065/