Sanders gets cold shoulder from New Hampshire unions

[brooklynite]

Politico

CONCORD, N.H. — The labor unions that powered Bernie Sanders to a decisive victory here in 2016 are declining to get on board with his campaign this time around — a potential warning sign for the neighbor-state senator’s hopes of a repeat performance.

One of the largest labor groups, which represents more than 10,000 New Hampshire state employees, broke with its national leadership when it issued an early endorsement of Sanders in the 2016 primary. Electrical workers joined a coalition of other unions to turbocharge the Sanders turnout operation that year.

Now, both organizations are remaining on the sidelines, refusing to pick a single candidate when several would suit them fine. Sanders is going to great lengths to lure their support — his campaign recently offered a free steak dinner to union members and hosted a rally for state employees who are fighting for a new contract. But nothing has moved the needle.

“There's a lot of candidates talking about what he talked about last time,” said Rich Gulla, the president of SEA-SEIU Local 1984, which represents the state’s employees. “Look at the field and look at the polling. I could talk to a dozen different members and get a dozen different responses on who they like. There's just too many in the field right now to narrow that down.”

[George II]

1. They're giving the cold shoulder to the idea that their hard earned health coverage is threatened.

[Cha]

6. Good.

[NurseJackie]

14. The first of many, no doubt. I tell you what...

The first of many, no doubt. I tell you what, people are catching on... not everything is as it seems or as it is claimed to be.

[aikoaiko]

2. A cold shoulder is a weird way to frame it -- they haven't decided against Sanders

They say they are waiting to see how things pan out with other candidates.

It was an easy choice when it was just HRC v Sanders. As the article states, more people sound like Sanders now.

[ritapria]

4. That is Politico for you

Establishment from the top of their heads to the bottom of their little, tippy, tippy toes …………… Snore

[George II]

7. I think the point is that by this time 4 years ago they'd already endorsed him.

[corbettkroehler]

11. Thanks For Filtering Through Pulpy Yellow Journalism!

I appreciate your fairness!

[TidalWave46]

5. Would love to see their inbox. NT

[PubliusEnigma]

8. Unions support Democrats

[msongs]

9. $47 million buys a lot of free steak dinners in return for endorsements nt

[corbettkroehler]

10. The Most Important Union, Granite State Postal Workers, Endorsed Sanders Warmly

You don't get more working class with a Trump bulls eye on your back than postal workers.

Link to tweet

[Hortensis]

12. "strong incentive to hold back for fear of picking the wrong horse."

"Joe Biden, who won the support of state and national firefighters in the spring, has long been popular in the labor movement. Elizabeth Warren is also seen as a strong labor candidate, though she has not yet secured an endorsement from a New Hampshire union."

Just maybe Sanders 2016 baggage is hurting him with some as well.

[Gothmog]

13. sanders even offered steak dinners and that did not work

Link to tweet

[George II]

15. So he's trying to buy votes and endorsements? Isn't that what Bloomberg and Steyer have been....

....accused of doing?

At least they're using their own money, not the money of the working class who scrimps and saves to make their contributions to his campaign.

[Gothmog]

16. LOL