Edwards endorsed by Steelworkers and Mine Workers Unions

Today, John Edwards won the endorsement of the Steelworkers and the Mine Workers Unions. I have previously reported that the Steelworkers Union was set to endorse Edwards today, but the Mine Workers Union came as a pleasant surprise. These two great organizations join the Carpenters Union in endorsing Edwards. This makes him the candidate with the most union support so far. These three unions combined represent almost 2 million workers.

"I am especially honored to receive the support of the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions," said Edwards, "These are the workers who built the middle class in America, and they are the backbone of the American labor movement. They understand how important it is to fight back when jobs, safety, standards and our values are at risk—and they know what's at stake in this election."

"These workers have felt the negative impact of a broken system in Washington that is rigged against America's working families for far too long—whether it's the tragic lack of oversight in mine safety, trade agreements written to benefit multinational corporations while they ship American jobs overseas, or the millions of working Americans who still can't afford health insurance," added Edwards. "As president, I will proudly lead the fight on behalf of working families with their support—and together we will win."

Check out what the union leaders had to say about Edwards:

"Senator John Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government," said Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard. "Edwards is right on the issues that matter to us, and he's the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election. The big corporations don't need another president who does their bidding. It's time we had a president who will fight for working people—and that's what John Edwards will do."

"Senator Edwards' positions on the issues of importance to UMWA members make him the best fit of all the candidates for president," UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. "We need a president who cares about ordinary working people instead of the richest Americans and the big multinational corporations. We believe John Edwards is that person, and we will work as hard as we know how on his behalf anywhere and everywhere we can."

I'd like to thank these great unions for supporting John Edwards, the best candidate for president of the United States. Happy Labor Day to everyone!

John Edwards Wins Two Key Union Endorsements

John Edwards has won two key union endorsements in his campaign for the presidency.

Yesterday, the Carpenters Union endorsed Edwards.

"Our endorsement is based on the Senator's outspoken support for all of organized labor and his focus on America's working families," said Carpenters President Douglas J. McCarron. "In addition to his support for labor, our leadership was particularly impressed with the Senator's strong stand on trade."

"We also believe that Senator Edwards will have a great appeal in a general election," McCarron continued. "He has the ability to reach out to moderate voters, including the members of our union, and to address their very real concerns about jobs, health care and the economy."

Their formal endorsement will come on September 8th, at a rally in New Hampshire.

On Labor Day, the Steelworkers Union will endorse Edwards at a rally in Pittsburgh.

Edwards has made support for unions a key feature not only of his campaign, but of his advocacy for many years before his campaign. I'm glad to see the unions are recognizing his work. These endorsements are well deserved.