AFGE refuses to give Gore early endorsement

AFGE refuses to give Gore early endorsement

ksaldarini@govexec.com

The American Federation of Government Employees announced Wednesday that it would not join its parent union, the AFL-CIO, in issuing an early endorsement of Vice President Al Gore for the 2000 Democratic Presidential nomination.

The AFL-CIO Wednesday threw its support behind Gore in his race against former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley. Gore had been pressuring union officials to grant the early endorsement.

AFGE president Bobby L. Harnage said AFGE would hold off on an endorsement because the Clinton administration hasn't always been helpful to its members. Harnage said he needs more time to consult with union members before selecting a candidate to back.

"When the AFGE issues a presidential endorsement, it will follow extensive consultation and input from our members. This will ensure that this endorsement has a real impact in the electoral process," Harnage said in a statement.

Last week, the Clinton administration pledged to take several actions to ensure that federal unions have more of a voice in agency management decisions, but AFGE has been seeking an order from Gore or President Clinton requiring agencies to sign pledges saying they will bargain with unions on a wide range of issues.

AFGE has also battled with General Services Administration chief David Barram in recent months over Barram's decision to close eight Federal Supply Service warehouses that employ 2,000 AFGE members. Barram reversed that decision on Wednesday, but the fate of the warehouses is still undecided.

"Because this employer-employee relationship has been less than perfect on important issues such as pay, health insurance, respect for full collective bargaining and privatization, we must adhere to the process of educating our members to the values and positions of all the candidates and listening to their views in a bottom-up process," Harnage said.