(Washington, DC) – National President D. Michael Langford of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) announced the union’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President and plans to immediately begin activating its membership for the critical primary contests ahead.   The announcement follows a vote by the union’s executive board.

The UWUA represents 70,000 active and retired members working in the gas, water, electricity and nuclear industries, including nearly 10,000 in Ohio and another 8,000 in Pennsylvania.

"Senator Obama understands our issues, supports our goals and will do what is right for utility workers, our families, our communities and our country," President Langford said. "We join him in his fight for change in America that will put working people first. I urge every one of our members to get involved in his campaign to lead this country forward."

Senator Barack Obama said, "I thank President Langford and the utility workers across the country for supporting our movement for change.  They have stood up for the rights of their workers and as president I will stand with them to pass universal health care, cut taxes for the middle class, and create jobs. Every working American should be able to know that in this country we value their work and will reward it with a few basic guarantees - wages that can raise a family, a retirement that's secure and dignified, and working conditions that are safe. And that's the kind of leadership I intend to offer as President."

In addition to Senator Obama’s longstanding support of issues important to workers such as the Employee Free Choice Act, Senator Obama has shown leadership on the critical issues facing utility workers and consumers.  Senator Obama has pledged to rebuild our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and is the candidate most likely to lead our country to true energy independence.

President Langford explained, “We have been fortunate to have an exceptional field of Democratic candidates who have all pledged to help fix the problems facing working people.  There is a consensus that we must raise wages, create fair trade, protect pensions and restore workers’ rights.  However, we believe that Senator Obama also shows exceptional leadership in the area of energy independence – he’s the only candidate that has not shut the door on a variety of energy sources. An energy policy that seeks to drastically reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help clean our environment must include a number of existing sources combined with new technologies.”

Having voted to endorse a presidential candidate, the UWUA will inform its members of Senator Obama’s policy positions and organize them to participate in get-out-the-vote programs.   The UWUA pledged to do everything possible with its membership and the communities where UWUA families live and work to help Barack Obama become President.

Just finished reading many interesting comments and one that is really "scaring me." Alice Rea in South Carolina want Barak Obama "investigated" because of his Muslim name and alleged Muslim connections. SHE, and others like her, who so rapidly chose to be "scared" and to call for "investigations" (maybe next lynch mobs) for anyone who is different, are the ones who are really scary. Worse yet, they are the perfect clay from which President Bush and his pals manipulated us with phony fears of every kind so we would go along with the abandonment of our privacy and other civil rights. Two things obtain: 1. Thank heaven lynch mobs are out of fashion these days in South Carolina, or Rea and her ilk would have provided us very different "primary results." 2.As to being "scared": Ben Franklin once said it best. "Those who are willing to sacrifice their freedom for security deserve NEITHER."

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