(The Associated Press distributed the following article on October 16.)
WASHINGTON — Twenty unions that back Dick Gephardt’s presidential bid are forming a new organization to support his campaign, a move that reflects labor’s growing split over the best Democrat to challenge President Bush next year.
The Alliance for Economic Justice will provide crucial foot soldiers and money to mobilize voters in early voting states. It was created after the unions backing Gephardt lost an internecine battle to try to secure an endorsement this month for the Missouri congressman from the entire AFL-CIO.
Organized labor is basically split into two camps: Unions that want Gephardt to be the Democratic nominee and those that don’t.
Gephardt’s supporters include the Teamsters, the United Food and Commercial Workers and the Laborers International Union of North America.
But some of the federation’s largest unions, including several that represent public and service sector workers, think Democrats’ fortunes are with a candidate who isn’t making a second run for the White House.
The new group plans to mobilize its collective 5 million members in early Democratic primary contests by highlighting differences among the candidates on trade, the economy and health care.
“We want our members to vigorously participate in the political process and we will encourage them to register, vote and support candidates that are looking out after their economic livelihood,” said Joe Hunt, president of the Iron Workers union.
Hunt said the show of unity also may encourage other unions that “haven’t stepped up to the plate” to throw their support behind Gephardt.
The unions initially are kicking in $5,000 each to fund newsletters, leaflets and phone banks carrying the organization’s message. That amount will increase over time, Hunt said. The Gephardt campaign will not be involved in the alliance’s activities.
The financial support could be a boon to Gephardt’s campaign, which is struggling to match other candidates’ fund-raising levels and spent far more than it raised last quarter.
Hunt said the alliance would help the unions more closely coordinate their efforts to educate members on “bread and butter” labor issues such as protecting the nation’s industrial base, creating jobs through infrastructure development and reforming the nation’s health care system.
On Friday, the 65,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association will become the 20th union to endorse Gephardt, spokesman James McNamara said.