Sen. Bernie Sanders Presidential bid has scored a major endorsement in delegate rich California, according to The Hill.
Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) presidential campaign won the endorsement of a key California union Tuesday as it works to gin up support in the crucial Super Tuesday state.
Sanders earned the support of the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union, the nation’s largest Communications Workers of America (CWA) chapter. The group, which represents nearly 17,000 employees across the University of California system, announced its endorsement after 66 percent of its members decided to back Sanders in an internal vote.
The Union cited Sanders’ decades long commitment to working people and opposition to privatizing education in making the endorsement.
“Senator Sanders has fought for labor for decades and empowers workers to fight for what is just and deserved,” said UPTE-CWA 9119 President Jamie McDole. “He stands against privatization of education, and as a union that represents nearly 17,000 higher education employees and educators on 13 public university and community college campuses, the fight is a reality for us. It’s time for a candidate who puts people first.”
California is one the biggest prizes at play in the upcoming Democratic primaries, accounting for 415 pledged delegates by itself. Polls have indicated an extremely tight three way race between Sen. Sanders, former VP Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Capturing this endorsement is a major boost to Sanders’ campaign prospects and adds to a growing list of Unions endorsing him.
He has already racked up several endorsements from labor groups, including the United Teachers Los Angeles, National Nurses United, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America and National Union of Healthcare Workers. He has also appeared alongside striking workers across the country while on the campaign trial, often to demand higher pay for workers.
Being myself a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, I am obviously pleased that we have a candidate who is unreservedly and without apology on the side of organized Labor and working people. Not to say that there aren’t other candidates who are friendly to Labor but there are none who can match Sanders’ consistency and decades long commitment.
“I’m honored to receive UPTE-CWA 9119’s support today,” said Sanders. “The labor movement helped build the middle class in this country, and strong unions are key to reviving it today. As president, I’ll continue to stand on the side of workers and unions like UPTE-CWA 9119 in the fight for a fair and just economy that works for all of us.”
Amen to that.