Labor Leader Joins Bernie Sanders' Campaign, Citing Clinton's 'Silence' On Fast Track

[cal04]

Labor Leader Joins Bernie Sanders' Campaign, Citing Clinton's 'Silence' On Fast Track

The longtime leader of one of the country’s most powerful labor unions is joining the Democratic presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and he says presumed frontrunner Hillary Clinton made it an easy call.

Larry Cohen, outgoing president of the Communications Workers of America, told The Huffington Post he will serve as an unpaid volunteer stumping for Sanders as the Vermont senator seeks the Democratic nomination. One of the main factors in his decision, Cohen said, was Clinton’s equivocation on granting President Barack Obama so-called fast-track authority on his mammoth trade deal.

“I did everything I knew how to do to get Clinton to speak out on fast track, and she wouldn’t,” said Cohen, whose 10 years leading CWA came to an end in June. "We begged her to speak out.

(snip)
Cohen's support for Sanders shouldn't be confused with an endorsement by CWA, which represents roughly 700,000 workers in communications and media in the U.S. and Canada. Labor unions remain a pillar of the Democratic base, and most of them will wait before throwing their weight behind a particular Democratic candidate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/larry-cohen-bernie-sanders_n_7702254.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. But Hillary tweeted that she likes unions!

Well done, I'd imagine.

[Divernan]

2. "We're not a rubber stamp for the Democratic party."

But Cohen's enlistment no doubt gives another shot in the arm to the Sanders campaign, while also suggesting a rift between Clinton and the progressive base. While at the helm of CWA, Cohen earned a reputation for pressuring Democrats into more progressive positions. He helped lead a coalition of left-leaning groups that was instrumental in bringing about Senate rules reform, paving the way for many of Obama's nominees to be confirmed.

"The key is him being the progressive candidate," Cohen said of Sanders. "You build the movement -- you don't just inherit it from labor or any other tent."

Cohen said Clinton's hesitation on fast track "won't be forgotten" anytime soon.

"We're not a rubber stamp for the Democratic Party," Cohen said of organized labor, "and certainly not for corporate Democrats."

Come on, union members, past and present - especially Treasury & Postal & AFGE unions. Support Bernie. Support America!

[SamKnause]

3. Whoopee !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who will vote for Bernie ???

Nobody But The People !!!!

[Omaha Steve]

4. We have several CWA members on the DU

Marta was CWA for 18 years and stayed out the 3 week strike in 1983.

[Indepatriot]

5. Look, Hillary just TWEETED her unwavering support for unions...

Isn't that ENOUGH for you looney socialists?