Press Release: UE Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
UE Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
AUGUST 26, 2019
Pittsburgh
Independent, progressive union cites Sanders history of standing with workers
UE, the independent, progressive union whose Locals 506 and 618 conducted the first major manufacturing strike of the Trump era in Erie, PA last winter, has endorsed Bernie Sanders for President.
Bernie understands the need for workers to have a democratic, independent union movement that is unafraid to challenge Corporate America's stranglehold on our economy, said UE General President Peter Knowlton. From four decades of actively supporting UE members and other workers in Vermont, to his vocal support for our 1700 members in Erie, PA who went on a nine-day strike this past winter, Bernie Sanders has always made it clear which side he is on.
The resolution adopted by the convention, after a debate this morning, reads in part:
Bernie has consistently come to UE strike lines and workplace actions. He has assisted locals in contract fights... Bernie was an outspoken supporter of UE Locals 506 and 618 in their first contract struggle with their new employer, Wabtec in early 2019. Bernie reached out to UE to offer whatever assistance that members needed and he could provide
His support for UE members during the nine-day strike gave us needed national recognition, and was instrumental in achieving a just settlement.
The resolution also cites Sanders and UEs shared belief that healthcare is a human right, and must be guaranteed through a Medicare for All, single-payer system.
https://www.ueunion.org/press-release/2019/ue-endorses-bernie-sanders-for-president