(Reuters distributed the following article on June 5.)
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential contender Richard Gephardt gained his third labor endorsement on Thursday when the railroad workers union backed him in the 2004 White House race.
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, which represents 50,000 workers who help maintain the nation’s train rail beds, said it endorsed Gephardt based on his record of support for labor and working families.
“No other candidate — Democratic or Republican — has a stronger or more consistent record of fighting to protect American workers,” said union president Mac Fleming.
The bricklayers and iron workers unions endorsed Gephardt earlier this year. They are the only labor endorsements so far in the 2004 race to choose a Democratic nominee to face President Bush.
The national AFL-CIO has encouraged its 65 affiliated unions to refrain from making an endorsement until after its national executive council meets in Chicago in August.
Gephardt, whose father drove a milk truck and was a member of the Teamster’s union, has a long record of support for labor issues and earned strong labor backing during his first unsuccessful run for president in 1988. The veteran Missouri congressman and former House Democratic leader is one of nine candidates vying to challenge Bush.