Choice in Member Poll
PEF Backs Clinton Run for President

By REUVEN BLAU

The state's second-largest public-employee union last week endorsed Hillary Clinton's bid for President, citing her commitment to protecting employees' rights and improving working conditions and benefits.

HILLARY CLINTON: Big state unions back her.

The Sept. 17 announcement was made during the Public Employees Federation's annual convention in Manhattan. "We, PEF's executive board and an overwhelming number of PEF members who participated in an on-line poll, have found our candidate is Hillary Clinton," said PEF President Ken Brynien in a statement.

Giuliani Second Choice

Earlier this summer, PEF held an on-line poll, which asked its members whom they wanted the union to endorse in the upcoming presidential election. Senator Clinton led the way with 26 percent of the vote and Rudy Giuliani came in second with 18 percent, said PEF spokeswoman Darcy Wells.

After that poll was concluded, the union's Political Action Committee brought its recommendation to PEF's Executive Board, which decided that the union should endorse Ms. Clinton.

KEN BRYNIEN: She's our people's choice.

PEF, which is one of the largest white-collar unions in the United States, represents 57,000 state employees. Its international affiliates are the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees. Neither of those labor organizations has endorsed a presidential candidate.

On July 25, Senator Clinton formally received the backing of the Civil Service Employees Association. The state's largest public-employee union was the first local labor organization to endorse Ms. Clinton.

Slapped by Parent

The CSEA's parent union - the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees - scolded the CSEA for making the early endorsement instead of waiting to make an announcement this month alongside the rest of the union. Bad blood already existed because CSEA President Danny Donohue is expected to run against AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee.

There has been widespread speculation that AFSCME is leaning towards endorsing Ms. Clinton, who looms as a solid favorite to capture the Democratic nomination based on current polls and the strength of her campaign organization. The union has made election of a Democratic candidate in 2008 a top priority and has announced its intention to mobilize 40,000 volunteers and spend $45 million on the 2008 Presidential race.

Earlier this year, the New York State United Teachers and the State AFL-CIO passed resolutions urging their respective internationals to consider her strongly when they make their endorsements.