With Democratic Race Decided, NTEU Gives Obama Endorsement

With Democratic Race Decided, NTEU Gives Obama Endorsement


The National Treasury Employees Union June 5 endorsed the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, citing his record of support for Federal employee unions.

COLLEEN M. KELLEY: Obama right choice for workers.

NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley said that Senator Obama had opposed the use of private contractors by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and supported her union's stance that agencies in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security needed to increase their staffs.

Calls Choice Clear

"In general he's talked about agencies having the resources and the tools they need to do their job," she said.

Citing the voting record of the presumptive Republican nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain, she said that Mr. McCain's presidency would work against the interests of unions and workers. Ms. Kelley explained that the union did not make an endorsement until after the primaries in order to give its members and chapter leaders the opportunity to take part in the nomination process. She added that the union admired the stances of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, who lost the primary race to Senator Obama.

"Senator Clinton remains a good friend and a strong advocate for Federal employees," she said.