A major transit union is backing former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential race after supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in 2016.
“Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career,” John Costa, President of the Amalgated Transit Union, said in a statement.
“We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labor, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through unprecedented investment in public services like transit.”
The decades Biden, 77, served in the U.S. Senate in addition to his eight years as vice president played a large role in the endorsement decision by the unions General Executive Board, Costa said. The vote came after an extensive poll of the unions membership that evaluated the field of candidates and which issues were most important to them.
Costa cited Bidens support for the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act, proposed legislation that would protect transportation workers from attacks, and said Biden would help push an initiative from House Democrats that calls for investing $760 billion in infrastructure improvements.
“This is a pivotal moment in U.S. history and our nation needs a leader that will bring back respect, dignity, and civility to our country. Joe Biden is the right person for working people and America,” said Costa.
The union represents more than 200,000 members, including school bus drivers, subway operators, and mechanics, in the United States and Canada.
The union supported Sanders in 2016, citing his “sincerity” and “long standing fidelity to the issues that are so important to the working people.” Sanders vied for the Democratic presidential nomination but ultimately lost to Hillary Clinton, who went on to lose to Donald Trump in the general election.
The endorsement came after Sanders, 78, was endorsed by the American Postal Workers Union, which also has over 200,000 members.
“Were pleased that a number of presidentiaRead More – Source
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The Epoch Times
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