Hillary Clinton Statement on Endorsement from the American Federation of Government Employees
Hillary Clinton released the below statement after earning the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees. With the endorsement of the AFGE, which represents 670,000 federal workers in 1,100 locals, Clinton now has the support of nearly 12 million union members across 18 different national unions and labor alliances that have endorsed her campaign.
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees and their 670,000 members.
“AFGE members make America run—protecting our national security, keeping our families healthy through food inspections, and serving our military in civilian support roles. And for decades, AFGE members have helped build the American middle class by fighting for higher wages, safer working conditions, and the right to organize and bargain collectively.
“As President, I will always stand up for workers’ rights, fight to keep workers safe on the job, and protect retirement security, including defined benefit plans and Social Security. I’m proud to stand with federal workers, including the men and women of AFGE, to continue making progress and build a better future for working families. Because when workers are strong, families are strong—and when families are strong, America is strong.”
Nation’s Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Hillary Clinton
AFGE believes Clinton will be a strong advocate for government employees and the public they serve
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees, representing 670,000 federal and D.C. government employees throughout the nation, today announces its endorsement of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
AFGE’s National Executive Council voted this week to endorse Secretary Clinton after meeting personally with both her and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, in November. None of the announced Republican candidates responded to AFGE’s information requests.
“Secretary Clinton shares AFGE’s vision for a strong and vibrant government workforce that has the necessary tools and support needed to deliver vital programs and services to the American public,” AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said. “The American people count on government employees to keep their streets safe, deliver their Social Security checks on time, and care for our nation’s heroes at veterans’ hospitals, and AFGE can count on Hillary Clinton to help us get it done.”
A poll of AFGE’s members conducted as part of the endorsement process found that the majority of AFGE’s members plan to vote for a Democrat in the presidential election. By a 2-1 margin, Secretary Clinton was the number one choice of respondents.
“In a Clinton White House, working families will have a powerful ally in the ongoing fight to raise wages, create good jobs, expand benefits, and preserve workplace rights and protections,” Cox said.
AFGE represents government workers in virtually every federal and D.C. department and agency, including USDA inspectors ensuring our food is safe to eat, DoD civilians supporting our troops at home and abroad, border patrol agents fighting drug and human trafficking on the borders, healthcare and benefits professionals at the VA, and transportation security officers keeping bombs off of airplanes.
