(The Associated Press distributed the following article on November 20.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic presidential hopeful Dick Gephardt won the backing of his 21st international labor union Thursday, bolstering his grass-roots support in two states that hold early primaries.
The Transport Workers Union of America, which represents about 125,000 workers, said it is supporting the Missouri congressman because of the loyalty he has shown to the labor movement during nearly three decades in Congress.
The union, which represents workers in the mass transit, airline, railroad and utility industries, has about 9,000 members in Oklahoma — more than any other union — and 5,000 members in Arizona. Both states are among those holding primaries Feb. 3.
While Gephardt’s union support represents more than 5 million members, two of the largest and most influential labor organizations — the 1.5 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the 1.6 million-member Service Employees International Union — have backed rival Howard Dean.
TWU president Sonny Hall dismissed reports of a deep and intense split within organized labor about whom to support.
“I’ve never seen labor more united that they need to defeat the incumbent president of this nation,” Hall said, calling the difference of opinion over which candidate to endorse a healthy debate.
“Whoever the choice is — and we believe it will be Dick Gephardt — labor will be 100 percent united as they are now about defeating President Bush,” he said.