Unions Backing Gephardt Form Alliance

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Labor Split Over Endorsing Missouri Congressman for President

The Associated Press
Thursday, October 16, 2003; 5:35 PM

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.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37461-2003Oct16.html