ILWU Endorses Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate

PORTLAND -- The International Longshore and Warehouse Union threw its support today behind Oregon Democratic House Speaker Jeff Merkley’s bid to unseat Gordon Smith. The ILWU is the first AFL-CIO union to endorse Jeff for U.S. Senate.

“The ILWU is committed to advancing the political and economic interests of workers in the United States and throughout the world,” ILWU Secretary-Treasurer William Adams said in a letter to Jeff. “We look forward to working with you to achieve our mutual goals.”

The ILWU represents 60,000 workers on the West Coast of the United States and Hawaii. These men and women are employed in longshore, warehousing, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing industries. The marine division of the ILWU, the Inland Boatmen’s Union, represents ferry, tug, and barge workers.

The Longshoremen joined the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, which was the first union to endorse Jeff. They comprise a growing group of unions committed to electing a US Senator who will represent Oregon’s workers and their families.

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Posted October 9, 2007
Endorsements, Press, Spotlight