WA’s largest union endorses ‘uncommitted’ in Democratic primary over Biden

The biggest labor union in Washington has endorsed “uncommitted delegates” over President Joe Biden in the state’s March 12 Democratic presidential primary.

The executive board of the United Food and Commercial Workers 3000, which represents over 50,000 employees, made the endorsement decision Wednesday night, calling Biden “an ally to workers over the last four years” but also suggesting he would not be the best candidate to defeat likely Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump.

“To protect workers, we must give ourselves the best chance to defeat anti-worker forces,” a statement released by the union said.

The union’s board also said they hope voting “uncommitted” will send a message to Biden to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. And they praised voters in Michigan who voted “uncommitted” to protest Biden’s refusal to call for a permanent ceasefire.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas’ attack on the country last October has killed over 30,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, according to a World Health Organization official. About 576,000 people in Gaza — a quarter of the population — are experiencing famine-like conditions, top United Nations officials said Tuesday.

“Biden must push for a lasting ceasefire and ending US funding toward this reckless war,” the statement said.

Still, United Food and Commercial Workers 3000 said it will support whoever is the eventual Democratic nominee.

Just over 13% of Michigan’s Democratic primary electorate voted “uncommitted.” While that’s not much more than “uncommitted” votes in previous primary elections, prominent politicians like Michigan Democrat and Palestinian American Rep. Rashida Tlaib expressed support for the movement.

The Washington State Labor Council, which represents 600 unions across the state, told the Standard they do not endorse presidential primary candidates, leaving that responsibility up to its national affiliate, AFL-CIO, which endorsed President Biden last June.

As of Thursday, 7.72% of eligible Washington voters have already sent in their ballots for the presidential primary. Seattle’s alt-weekly, The Stranger, also endorsed “uncommitted delegates” this week.

“Unlike a protest vote for [presidential candidate and Minnesota Rep. Dean] Phillips or a throwaway write-in vote, voting for ‘uncommitted delegates’ delivers a message to Biden in a language he can hear and understand,” The Stranger’s editorial board wrote.

After Michigan’s presidential primary, Biden’s campaign told NPR that “there’s no doubt that there were some folks in Michigan that wanted to send the president a message…that message has been received.”

The Washington State Democratic Party Central Committee passed a resolution in January calling for a ceasefire. So have several Washington cities, including Olympia and Bellingham.

Washington voters must postmark their ballots no later than March 12 or place them in a designated drop-box by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count.

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