US postal workers union endorses Obama
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama on Wednesday won the endorsement of the country's largest postal workers union in a fresh boost to his 2008 nomination race against rival Hillary Clinton.
"Senator Obama's message is one of hope and change," American Postal Workers Union (APWU) president William Burrus said in a statement.
"We believe he will be a president who will strongly represent the interests of working Americans," he added.
The union represents more than 300,000 postal employees and retirees.
The support follows last week's endorsement of Obama by the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees.
The Illinois senator also enjoys the support of the five-million-member Change to Win, a national affiliation of seven unions including the powerful Teamsters Union and the Service Employees International Union.
Last year New York Senator Clinton earned the first endorsement by a top labor union -- the United Transportation Union.
Clinton and Obama are next set to square off in the state of Pennsylvania, where their party primary is scheduled for April 22.
Pennsylvania has some 745,000 union members, most of them Democrats, and their vote is seen as key to the outcome of the primary.
Union endorsements are prized by candidates in the Democratic nominating race, where labor blocs remain influential, and in the general election when their vast organizational network can help get out the vote.
