One of Bernie’s largest endorsing unions, the Communication Workers of America, is ready to move on from the primary and into the general election fight against Donald Trump, announcing their support for Hillary Clinton today.
In a speech to union members in D.C. on Tuesday, Chris Shelton, president of the 700,000-member Communications Workers of America, said that while Clinton is not a “perfect candidate,” she is the candidate the union needs to get behind immediately.
“Bernie is not going to be the nominee. Hillary Rodham Clinton will be,” Shelton said. “And whatever you think of Secretary Clinton — I happen to think she was a damn good senator from New York and that a lot of the hostility against her is attributable to out-and-out sexism and to the ‘vast right-wing conspiracy’ — she is the candidate who is running against Donald Trump. And brothers and sisters, we must stop Donald Trump from becoming president.”
She was not their first choice, obviously, but a vastly better choice for unions and working people than Donald Trump.
While saying Clinton is “not [the] populist” they would prefer, Shelton noted that shestood with the union on the Verizon picket line, sponsored the Employee Free Choice Act as a senator and backs comprehensive immigration reform.
“Donald Trump is a mindless jerk who threatens to destroy our country,” he said. “Hillary Clinton is a thoughtful and experienced leader with whom we have sometimes had disagreements. It’s a no-brainer.”
In an interview, Shelton told The Huffington Post that backing Clinton now was “the only course,” and that the union would be putting its money and get-out-the-vote efforts behind her candidacy.
Progressives continue to unite behind the nominee!
