Labor Endorsements in the 2008 Primary Campaigns

Labor Endorsements in the Race for the 2008 Primary Campaigns
See also 2003-04 Labor Endorsements

AFL-CIO and Change to Win Affiliated National Unions

     CLINTON

    OBAMA
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    EDWARDS

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DODD HUCKABEE

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NO NAT'L ENDORSEMENT

CHRONOLOGY

CLINTON

Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA)
Organization: General President Patrick D. Finley, General Secretary-Treasurer Earl F. Hurd, Exec. Vice-President Daniel E. Stepano, four Vice Presidents.
OPCMIA announced its endorsement of Sen. Clinton on April 16, 2008.

United Farm Workers
Organization: President Arturo Rodriguez. Note that United Farm Workers is a Change to Win affiliate.
Represents more than 27,000 farm workers. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Jan. 22, 2008.

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International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
Organization: General Executive Board consists of General President/Director of Organizing James A. Williams, Executive General Vice President Kenneth E. Rigmaiden, General Secretary-Treasurer George Galis, four General Vice Presidents, and General President Emeritus Mike Monroe.
Represents 160,000 active and retired members in the finishing trades. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Dec. 19, 2007.

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International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE)
Organization: International President Thomas C. Short and General Secretary-Treasurer James B. Wood head up the 17-person General Executive Board..
Represents more than 100,000 members in the motion picture, theatrical and television professions. Announced endorsement of Sen Clinton on Dec. 11, 2007. campaign

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Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)
Organization: International President Michael Goodwin; Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Wohlforth.
Represents more than 125,000 members in the professional, technical and administrative fields. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Dec. 3, 2007. campaign

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Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
Organization: International President Warren S. George; International Executive Vice President Michael Siano; International Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Owens. 267 locals throughout the U.S. and Canada.
"The largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada," ATU claims over 180,000 members in the U.S. and Canada. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Nov. 29, 2007. campaign

Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA)
Organization: General President Michael J. Sullivan, General Secretary - Treasurer Joseph J. Nigro, 11 General Vice Presidents. Note: SMWIA is in the process of merging with the United Transportation Union (UTU) to form the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); the merger will take effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Nov. 17, 2007. campaign

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American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Organization: President Gerald W. McEntee, Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy, Executive Board (International Vice Presidents). More than 3,500 local unions in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; 61 Councils.
"The largest union for workers in the public service with 1.4 million members nationwide...represents a diverse group of service and health care workers in the public and private sectors including nurses, EMTs, bus drivers, child care providers, custodians and librarians." Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Oct. 31, 2007. campaign

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American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Organization: 41 member executive council. President Edward J. McElroy; Secretary-Treasurer Nat LaCour; Executive Vice President Antonia Cortese.
AFT's more than 1.4 million members include pre-K through 12th grade teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP); local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff; and nurses and other healthcare professionals. The union also includes more than 170,000 retiree members. More than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide; 43 state affiliates. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Oct. 3, 2007. campaign, see also photos

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International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)
Organization: Executive Board comprises President John J. Flynn, Secretary-Treasurer James Boland and Executive Vice Presidents Ken Lambert, Gerald O’Malley and Gerard Scarano. Executive Council, the Union's highest advisory body, is made up of the Executive Board, Regional Vice Presidents from BAC's five Regions in the U.S. and Canada, IU Regional Directors, the Canadian Co-Chair, Craft Vice Presidents, and At-Large Members.
Represents roughly 100,000 skilled masonry-trowel trades craftworkers. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Sept. 24, 2007. campaign

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National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
Organization: 28-member Executive Council (10 Resident National officers, 3 National Trustees and 15 National Business Agents) headed by National President William H. “Bill” Young.
Represents about 300,00 active and retired members, of which a bit more than two-thirds are active city delivery letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service. 2,500 local branches. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Sept. 12, 2007. campaign, see also photos

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International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
Organization: The Executive Council consists of International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger, General Secretary-Treasurer Warren L. Mart, and 7 General Vice Presidents.
Represents 730,000 members across North America including aerospace, automotive, government employees, transportation, and woodworkers. Dual endorsement of Sen. Clinton and former Gov. Huckabee announced on Aug. 30, 2007. campaign
Additionally, the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), an IAM affiliate headquartered in Rockville, MD with 65,000 active and retired members ("approximately 46,000 members in the U.S., most employed in the railroad industry") announced its endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Aug. 30, 2007. [TCU affiliated with the IAM in July 2005, and a full merger is to occur no later than January 2012]. campaign

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United Transportation Union (UTU)
Organization: International President Paul Thompson (retiring Dec. 31).
Cleveland, Ohio-based transportation labor union representing about 125,000 active and retired railroad, bus and mass transit workers in the United States and Canada. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton announced on Aug. 28, 2007. campaign

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and The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), a UFCW affiliate representing 100,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada, is backing Sen. Clinton; the Executive Board voted unanimously to support Sen. Clinton at a meeting in May 2007. (Clinton addressed the RWDSU Executive Board on May 11, 2007. In 1999 the union was the first to endorse her campaign for Senate).

OBAMA

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
Organization: President Cecil Roberts and Secretary-Treasurer Dan Kane.
Originally endorsed Sen. Edwards in Sept. 2007. Represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. UMWA announced its endorsemet of Sen. Obama on May 21, 2008.

United Steelworkers (USW)
Organization: International President Leo W. Gerard and International Secretary-Treasurer James D. English head up the International Executive Board.
Originally endorsed Sen. Edwards in Sept. 2007. Represents 1.2 million members and retirees ("the largest industrial union in North America"). United Steelworkers announced its endorsement of Sen. Obama on May 15, 2008, the day after Edwards endorsed Obama.

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American Federation of Government Employees
Organization: National President John Gage.
The largest federal employee union representing 600,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on May 9, 2008.

Change to Win
Organization: 7 affiliated unions. Chair Anna Berger.
Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 21, 2008. Carpenters, LIUNA and UFW abstained.

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Organization: General President James P. Hoffa; General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel; General Executive Board consisting of 22 Vice Presidents.
Represents 1.4 million workers who work in areas including warehouse, parcel, freight, public employees and industrial trades. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 20, 2008.

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International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
Organization: International President Newton B. Jones; International Secretary-Treasurer William T. Creeden; five International Vice Presidents.
Headquartered in Kansas City, KS, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO represents 65,000 members. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 20, 2008.

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Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Organization: President Andy Stern, Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger; Executive Vice Presidents Mary Kay Henry, Gerry Hudson, Eliseo Medina, andTom Woodruff.
SEIU represents 1.9 million members and and 50,000 retirees in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico focused in hospital systems and long term care (900,000 members), property services (225,000 members), and public services (850,000 members). On Oct. 8, 2007 the SEIU announced that its local unions would decide on presidential primary endorsements on a state-by-state basis, with decisions announced no earlier than Oct. 15, 2007. Local unions did endorse, opting for Edwards (CA, ID, IA, MI, MT, MN, OH, OR, WA, WV; MA; NH), Obama (IL, MO-KS, WI) and Clinton (SEIU Locals 1199 and 32BJ). On Feb. 15, 2008 in a conference call the SEIU executive board endorsed Sen. Obama.
see also photos

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)
Organization: International President Joseph T. Hansen; International Secretary-Treasurer Anthony M. Perrone; Executive Vice Presidents William T. McDonough, Patrick J. O'Neill, and Wayne E. Hanley.
Represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 14, 2008.

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Transport Workers Union (TWU)
Organization: International President James C. Little.
Originally endorsed Sen. Edwards in Sept. 2007. Represents 200,000 active and retired members. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 1, 2008.

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UNITE HERE
Organization: General President Bruce Raynor. President, Hospitality Industry John W. Wilhelm.
Represents nearly half a million workers in the hospitality, gaming, apparel, textile, retail, distribution, food service and laundry industries in North America. Held its founding convention July 9, 2004. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Jan. 9, 2008.

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United Association (UA - Plumbers and Pipe Fitters)
Organization: International President William P. Hite, General Secretary-Treasurer Patrick R. Perno.
Represents approximately 340,000 members who belong to over 300 individual local unions across North America. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Jan. 9, 2008.

DODD

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Organization: The Executive Board is chaired by General President Harold A. Schaitberger and includes Secretary-Treasurer Vinnie Bollon and 16 regional Vice Presidents.
Represents more than 281,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics. More than 3,100 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada. Announced (2) endorsement of Sen. Dodd on Aug. 29, 2007. campaign
-May 10-11, 2007...IAFF Federation of State and Provincial Professional Fire Fighters meeting in Portsmouth, NH (press release).
-March 14, 2007..."IAFF Bipartisan 2008 Presidential Forum" during International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
-The Jan.-Feb. 2007 issue of International Fire Fighter contained a message from IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger outlining endorsement criteria.

EDWARDS

Transport Workers Union (TWU)
Organization: International President James C. Little.
Represents 200,000 active and retired members. Announced endorsement of former Sen. Edwards on Sept. 6, 2007. campaign

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United Steelworkers (USW)
Organization: International President Leo W. Gerard and International Secretary-Treasurer James D. English head up the International Executive Board.
Represents 1.2 million members and retirees ("the largest industrial union in North America"). Announced endorsement of former Sen. Edwards on Sept. 3, 2007. campaign
-July 5-6, 2007...Four Democratic candidates spoke at the United Steelworkers (USW) Presidential Candidates' Forum on Renewing American Manufacturing at Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre Hotel in Cleveland, OH.

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United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
Organization: President Cecil Roberts and Secretary-Treasurer Dan Kane.
Represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. Announced endorsement of former Sen. Edwards on Sept. 3, 2007. campaign

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United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC)
Represents more than 520,000 men and women throughout the building-trades industries including carpenters, cabinetmakers, millwrights, piledrivers, lathers, framers, floorlayers, roofers, drywallers, and workers in forest-products and related industries. Announced endorsement of former Sen. Edwards on Aug. 30, 2007. campaign

HUCKABEE

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
Organization: The Executive Council consists of International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger, General Secretary-Treasurer Warren L. Mart, and 7 General Vice Presidents.
Represents 730,000 members across North America including aerospace, automotive, government employees, transportation, and woodworkers. Announced dual endorsement of Sen. Clinton and former Gov. Huckabee on Aug. 30, 2007. campaign

NO NATIONAL ENDORSEMENT

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
Organization: 18-member Executive Board includes 7 officers - President Ron Gettelfinger, Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn and five Vice Presidents - and 11 regional directors.
Represents approximately 640,000 active members and over 500,000 retired members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. More than 800 local unions. On Dec. 19, 2007 the UAW International Executive Board announced it had taken a position of "no endorsement."

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Communications Workers of America (CWA)
Organization: President Larry Cohen, Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Easterling.
Represents 700,000 workers in communications and information technology; media and publishing; health care, education and the public sector; manufacturing and the airline industry. On Sept. 20, 2007 CWA announced it was holding off on making an endorsement. (more) On Nov. 15, 2007, following six weeks of on-line voting which drew more than 30,000 votes, CWA announced it was freeing local unions and councils to make their own endorsements.

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Service Employees International Union (SEIU) from Oct. 8, 2007 to Feb. 14, 2008. Endorsed Sen. Obama on Feb. 15, 2008.

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State/Local
BIDEN
>Sen. Joe Biden received the endorsement of Delaware Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 74 on Dec. 21, 2007. Business Manager is John J. Czerwinski.

>Sen. Joe Biden received the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Delaware State CAP Council on Dec. 18, 2007. There are over 5,000 active and 7,000 retired members in Delaware; CAP Council President is Richard McDonaugh, Jr.. campaign

>Sen. Joe Biden received the endorsement of the Delaware Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 13101 on Dec. 17, 2007. CWA Local 13101 Executive President is Bud Speakman.

>The Plumbing, Pipefitting, and Refrigeration Workers UA Local 525 [Nevada] endorsed Sen. Joe Biden on Dec. 14, 2007. Business Manager is Brett McCoy. campaign

>The Biden campaign announced the endorsement of the 11,000 member Delaware State Education Association (DSEA) on Oct. 18, 2007. DSEA is the state affiliate of the 2.6 million member National Education Association. campaign

>The Delaware State AFL-CIO announced its unanimous endorsement of Sen. Joe Biden for president on June 14, 2007.

CLINTON
>The Clinton campaign announced the endorsements of SEIU Locals 1199 and 32BJ on Dec. 14, 2007. "SEIU 1199 is the largest and fastest growing health care union in the country, with more than 300,000 members in Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and Washington, DC... SEIU 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country with more than 100,000 members in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC."

>NEA-NH announced its endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton on Dec. 6, 2007. NEA-NH is the largest union in New Hampshire with 16,000 members. President is Rhonda Wesolowski. campaign

>IATSE Stage Employees Local 720 in Las Vegas announced its endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton on Nov. 29, 2007. Local 720 includes approximately 4,500 members and affiliated workers involved with the convention and trade show industry, theatrical productions and live entertainment events in southern Nevada. Local 720 President is Hal Ritzer. campaign

>CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME, which bills itself as "New York's leading union" and claims 265,000 members, announced its endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton on July 25, 2007.

>The Clinton exploratory committee announced the endorsement of UFCW Local 1500 (represents more than 22,000 members working in the grocery industry across the
metropolitan New York area; President Bruce Both) on June 21, 2007.

>The Clinton exploratory committee announced the endorsement of Michigan-based International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 on June 15, 2007.

EDWARDS
>Communications Workers of America in Nevada announced its endorsement of Sen. John Edwards on Dec. 6, 2007; CWA Local 9413 President is Chuck Benway and Executive Vice President is Liz Sorenson. campaign

>The Edwards campaign announced the endorsement of the Iowa Postal Workers Union, representing more than 3,000 workers in all 99 counties, on Oct. 18, 2007. The Iowa Postal Workers Union is the statewide branch of the AFL-CIO-affiliated American Postal Workers Union. campaign

>The New Hampshire State Employees' Association (SEIU local 1984) announced its endorsement of Sen. John Edwards on Oct. 31, 2007. campaign

>The Massachusetts Council of the Service Employees International Union (90,000 members) announced its endorsement of Sen. John Edwards on Oct. 18, 2007.

>Ten SEIU State Councils announced their endorsement of Sen. John Edwards on Oct. 15, 2007. California (656,000 members), Idaho (450 members), Iowa (2,000 members), Michigan (70,000 members), Montana (500 members), Minnesota (28,000 members), Ohio (22,000 members), Oregon (46,000 members), Washington (103,000 members) and West Virginia (4,000 members). campaign

OBAMA
>Oregon AFSCME announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama on March 15, 2008.

>The Oregon Education Association announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama on March 8, 2008.

>The Council of Social Security Field Office Locals, Council 220 AFGE announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama on Feb. 29, 2008.

>SEIU Washington State Council, which had endorsed Sen. John Edwards, announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama on Feb. 5, 2008, four days before the Washington caucuses.

>SEIU California State Council, which had endorsed Sen. John Edwards, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Feb. 1, 2008, two days after Edwards announced the end of his campaign and four days before the California primary. Represents more than 650,000 members in California, including healthcare workers, nurses, janitors, librarians, homecare workers, security officers, technicians, social workers and others. Annelle Grajeda, president.

>Culinary Workers Union Local 226 endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Jan. 9, 2008. The Culinary Workers Union is the largest and most politically active union in Nevada comprising 60,000 members who work at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, downtown Las Vegas and in Reno. campaign

>The Illinois Education Association-NEA (IEA) voted to recommend Sen. Barack Obama on Dec. 6, 2007. (IEA represents more than 130,000 Illinois elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers. President is Ken Swanson).

>AFSCME Council 31 announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama on Dec. 1, 2007.

>Delegates of United Auto Workers Region 4 endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Nov. 15, 2007. UAW Region 4 represents 64,000 active and 122,000 retirees in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, including 30,000 members and retirees in Iowa. Dennis Williams is director. campaign

>SEIU Wisconsin State Council endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Oct. 26, 2007, citing his "commitment to expanding access to affordable health care and to protecting workers' rights." (State Council President is Dian Palmer; the union has 15,000-plus members).

>Missouri-Kansas State Council of the Service Employees International Union (represents more than 15,000 members in both states) endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Oct. 18, 2007. Sherwin Carroll is president of the council.

>SEIU Illinois State Council announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama on Oct. 15, 2007. campaign

>The New York City Correction Officers' Benevolent Association (COBA) (represents 9,000 unionized members in New York City and is the largest municipal jail union in the country) endorsed Sen. Barack Obama on Sept. 24, 2007. campaign

RICHARDSON
>Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 797 (represents 2,000 members in southern Nevada, business manager Marc Leavitt).

Notes:
-The seven Change to Win-affiliated unions are International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC), United Farm Workers of America (UFW), United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), and UNITE HERE.

-The United Steelworkers originally endorsed Sen. John Edwards. After he withdrew on Jan. 30, the USW refrained from making an endorsement. On Mar. 17, 2007 the USW sent a seven-page letter to the three remaining major candidates asking them how they plan to address "the nation's failed trade policies." (more)

-Not all unions rushed to make an endorsement. On Sept. 20, 2007 the Communications Workers of America announced it was holding off on making an endorsement. (more)

-There is also the phenomenon of the "favorite son" or "favorite sister:"
>On May 3, 2007 the New York State AFL-CIO issued a resolution declaring Sen. Hillary Clinton its "favorite sister" in the presidential campaign.

>A note from AFT Connecticut communications director Eric Bailey:

At our annual convention in May the delegates passed a resolution calling on AFT to consider Chris Dodd in their endorsement process.
Call it a “favorite son” resolution. Other AFT State Federations did the same (NY, IL, NM, etc.)

AFT endorsed Hillary Clinton. After that endorsement, we expressed our disappointment and again expressed our support for Chris Dodd as the Senior Senator from Connecticut; however, AFT Connecticut has not made an official endorsement.

CLINTON	OBAMA	.	EDWARDS
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		.	DODD	HUCKABEE
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		.	NO NAT'L ENDORSEMENT
CHRONOLOGY

	Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association (OPCMIA) Organization: General President Patrick D. Finley, General Secretary-Treasurer Earl F. Hurd, Exec. Vice-President Daniel E. Stepano, four Vice Presidents. OPCMIA announced its endorsement of Sen. Clinton on April 16, 2008.

	United Farm Workers Organization: President Arturo Rodriguez. Note that United Farm Workers is a Change to Win affiliate. Represents more than 27,000 farm workers. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Jan. 22, 2008.
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	International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Organization: General Executive Board consists of General President/Director of Organizing James A. Williams, Executive General Vice President Kenneth E. Rigmaiden, General Secretary-Treasurer George Galis, four General Vice Presidents, and General President Emeritus Mike Monroe. Represents 160,000 active and retired members in the finishing trades. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Dec. 19, 2007.
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	International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE) Organization: International President Thomas C. Short and General Secretary-Treasurer James B. Wood head up the 17-person General Executive Board.. Represents more than 100,000 members in the motion picture, theatrical and television professions. Announced endorsement of Sen Clinton on Dec. 11, 2007. campaign
.
	Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Organization: International President Michael Goodwin; Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Wohlforth. Represents more than 125,000 members in the professional, technical and administrative fields. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Dec. 3, 2007. campaign
.
	Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Organization: International President Warren S. George; International Executive Vice President Michael Siano; International Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Owens. 267 locals throughout the U.S. and Canada. "The largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada," ATU claims over 180,000 members in the U.S. and Canada. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Nov. 29, 2007. campaign

	Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) Organization: General President Michael J. Sullivan, General Secretary - Treasurer Joseph J. Nigro, 11 General Vice Presidents. Note: SMWIA is in the process of merging with the United Transportation Union (UTU) to form the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); the merger will take effect Jan. 1, 2008. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Nov. 17, 2007. campaign
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	American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Organization: President Gerald W. McEntee, Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy, Executive Board (International Vice Presidents). More than 3,500 local unions in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; 61 Councils. "The largest union for workers in the public service with 1.4 million members nationwide...represents a diverse group of service and health care workers in the public and private sectors including nurses, EMTs, bus drivers, child care providers, custodians and librarians." Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Oct. 31, 2007. campaign
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	American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Organization: 41 member executive council. President Edward J. McElroy; Secretary-Treasurer Nat LaCour; Executive Vice President Antonia Cortese. AFT's more than 1.4 million members include pre-K through 12th grade teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP); local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff; and nurses and other healthcare professionals. The union also includes more than 170,000 retiree members. More than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide; 43 state affiliates. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Oct. 3, 2007. campaign, see also photos
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	International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Organization: Executive Board comprises President John J. Flynn, Secretary-Treasurer James Boland and Executive Vice Presidents Ken Lambert, Gerald O’Malley and Gerard Scarano. Executive Council, the Union's highest advisory body, is made up of the Executive Board, Regional Vice Presidents from BAC's five Regions in the U.S. and Canada, IU Regional Directors, the Canadian Co-Chair, Craft Vice Presidents, and At-Large Members. Represents roughly 100,000 skilled masonry-trowel trades craftworkers. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Sept. 24, 2007. campaign
.
	National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Organization: 28-member Executive Council (10 Resident National officers, 3 National Trustees and 15 National Business Agents) headed by National President William H. “Bill” Young. Represents about 300,00 active and retired members, of which a bit more than two-thirds are active city delivery letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service. 2,500 local branches. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Sept. 12, 2007. campaign, see also photos
.
	International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Organization: The Executive Council consists of International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger, General Secretary-Treasurer Warren L. Mart, and 7 General Vice Presidents. Represents 730,000 members across North America including aerospace, automotive, government employees, transportation, and woodworkers. Dual endorsement of Sen. Clinton and former Gov. Huckabee announced on Aug. 30, 2007. campaign Additionally, the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), an IAM affiliate headquartered in Rockville, MD with 65,000 active and retired members ("approximately 46,000 members in the U.S., most employed in the railroad industry") announced its endorsement of Sen. Clinton on Aug. 30, 2007. [TCU affiliated with the IAM in July 2005, and a full merger is to occur no later than January 2012]. campaign
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	United Transportation Union (UTU) Organization: International President Paul Thompson (retiring Dec. 31). Cleveland, Ohio-based transportation labor union representing about 125,000 active and retired railroad, bus and mass transit workers in the United States and Canada. Announced endorsement of Sen. Clinton announced on Aug. 28, 2007. campaign
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and	The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), a UFCW affiliate representing 100,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada, is backing Sen. Clinton; the Executive Board voted unanimously to support Sen. Clinton at a meeting in May 2007. (Clinton addressed the RWDSU Executive Board on May 11, 2007. In 1999 the union was the first to endorse her campaign for Senate).

	United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Organization: President Cecil Roberts and Secretary-Treasurer Dan Kane. Originally endorsed Sen. Edwards in Sept. 2007. Represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, municipal employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in North America. UMWA announced its endorsemet of Sen. Obama on May 21, 2008.

	United Steelworkers (USW) Organization: International President Leo W. Gerard and International Secretary-Treasurer James D. English head up the International Executive Board. Originally endorsed Sen. Edwards in Sept. 2007. Represents 1.2 million members and retirees ("the largest industrial union in North America"). United Steelworkers announced its endorsement of Sen. Obama on May 15, 2008, the day after Edwards endorsed Obama.
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	American Federation of Government Employees Organization: National President John Gage. The largest federal employee union representing 600,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on May 9, 2008.

	Change to Win Organization: 7 affiliated unions. Chair Anna Berger. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 21, 2008. Carpenters, LIUNA and UFW abstained.
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	International Brotherhood of Teamsters Organization: General President James P. Hoffa; General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel; General Executive Board consisting of 22 Vice Presidents. Represents 1.4 million workers who work in areas including warehouse, parcel, freight, public employees and industrial trades. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 20, 2008.
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	International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Organization: International President Newton B. Jones; International Secretary-Treasurer William T. Creeden; five International Vice Presidents. Headquartered in Kansas City, KS, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO represents 65,000 members. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 20, 2008.
.
	Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Organization: President Andy Stern, Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger; Executive Vice Presidents Mary Kay Henry, Gerry Hudson, Eliseo Medina, andTom Woodruff. SEIU represents 1.9 million members and and 50,000 retirees in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico focused in hospital systems and long term care (900,000 members), property services (225,000 members), and public services (850,000 members). On Oct. 8, 2007 the SEIU announced that its local unions would decide on presidential primary endorsements on a state-by-state basis, with decisions announced no earlier than Oct. 15, 2007. Local unions did endorse, opting for Edwards (CA, ID, IA, MI, MT, MN, OH, OR, WA, WV; MA; NH), Obama (IL, MO-KS, WI) and Clinton (SEIU Locals 1199 and 32BJ). On Feb. 15, 2008 in a conference call the SEIU executive board endorsed Sen. Obama. see also photos

	United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Organization: International President Joseph T. Hansen; International Secretary-Treasurer Anthony M. Perrone; Executive Vice Presidents William T. McDonough, Patrick J. O'Neill, and Wayne E. Hanley. Represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 14, 2008.
.
	Transport Workers Union (TWU) Organization: International President James C. Little. Originally endorsed Sen. Edwards in Sept. 2007. Represents 200,000 active and retired members. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Feb. 1, 2008.
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	UNITE HERE Organization: General President Bruce Raynor. President, Hospitality Industry John W. Wilhelm. Represents nearly half a million workers in the hospitality, gaming, apparel, textile, retail, distribution, food service and laundry industries in North America. Held its founding convention July 9, 2004. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Jan. 9, 2008.
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	United Association (UA - Plumbers and Pipe Fitters) Organization: International President William P. Hite, General Secretary-Treasurer Patrick R. Perno. Represents approximately 340,000 members who belong to over 300 individual local unions across North America. Announced endorsement of Sen. Obama on Jan. 9, 2008.

	International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Organization: 18-member Executive Board includes 7 officers - President Ron Gettelfinger, Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn and five Vice Presidents - and 11 regional directors. Represents approximately 640,000 active members and over 500,000 retired members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. More than 800 local unions. On Dec. 19, 2007 the UAW International Executive Board announced it had taken a position of "no endorsement."
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	Communications Workers of America (CWA) Organization: President Larry Cohen, Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Easterling. Represents 700,000 workers in communications and information technology; media and publishing; health care, education and the public sector; manufacturing and the airline industry. On Sept. 20, 2007 CWA announced it was holding off on making an endorsement. (more) On Nov. 15, 2007, following six weeks of on-line voting which drew more than 30,000 votes, CWA announced it was freeing local unions and councils to make their own endorsements.
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	Service Employees International Union (SEIU) from Oct. 8, 2007 to Feb. 14, 2008. Endorsed Sen. Obama on Feb. 15, 2008.
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