Clinton squares off with the other Democratic candidates in Sunday's presidential debate. Mic Smith / AP
Clinton Picks Up Another Federal Union Endorsement
Labor group with 150,000 members throws support behind former State secretary.
Hillary Clinton won another endorsement from a federal employee labor group on Wednesday, with the National Treasury Employees Union announcing its support for the former secretary of State.
Like much of organized labor, federal unions appear to be uniting around Clinton’s candidacy. Last month, the American Federation of Government Employees also endorsed the former senator and first lady.
Tony Reardon, NTEU’s president, said Clinton would be an advocate for the federal workforce.
“Throughout her career, Secretary Clinton has been a strong supporter of federal employees,” Reardon said. “I believe as president she will continue that support on issues from fair pay to protecting retirement benefits and workplace rights.”
He added Clinton “recognizes the importance of the work done by federal employees and the need to recruit and retain a skilled federal workforce.”
Clinton has racked up support from several labor groups, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; American Federation of Teachers; and the Service Employees International Union. Her chief opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has won the endorsement of one federal employee group, however. The American Postal Workers Union threw its support behind Sanders, a long-time advocate for the U.S. Postal Service and its workforce, in November.
Reardon said the upcoming presidential election will have a “huge impact” on NTEU’s 150,000 members and all federal employees.
“This election will determine whether our country retains a talented and dedicated workforce with the necessary tools and resources to provide critical services to the American people,” Reardon said. “Secretary Clinton is a fighter who will ensure that federal employees and all working families get a fair shake and are treated with dignity and respect.”
An October poll of Democratic federal employees, conducted by the Government Business Council, the research arm of Government Executive Media Group, found Clinton held a 45 percent to 28 percent lead over Sanders. The Vermont senator had gained 10 points on the former Cabinet secretary since GBC’s August poll, however. Government Executive will publish the results of another survey of federal workers before the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1.