The largest labor union in Washington state — the United Food and Commercial Workers — with a membership exceeding 50,000, has endorsed an ‘uncommitted’ stance for next month’s Democratic presidential primary. Union leaders cited concerns regarding President Joe Biden’s lack of political strength and his support for Israel‘s war against Hamas in Gaza as reasons for the endorsement choice.
Following an executive board vote on Wednesday, the union called Biden “an ally to workers” but expressed a lack of confidence in defeating the presumptive Republican nominee — former President Donald Trump — in the November election. According to the union’s statement, their recommendation to vote ‘uncommitted’ reflects a belief that this approach could strengthen the position of the eventual Democratic nominee.
Meanwhile, the union has pledged support for whoever may be the eventual Democratic Party nominee — promising to dispatch resources, staff, and members to campaign in any swing state to support their bid to defeat Trump. This move, though, underscores an implicit discontent within the Democratic base, as some factions remain uncertain about backing President Biden for re-election.
The divisions among Democrat rank-and-file were on display earlier this week in Michigan, a state with a significant Muslim and Arab American community opposed to Israel’s war against Hamas. About 13 percent of Democratic primary voters chose ‘uncommitted’ over Biden. Because of the solid anti-Biden showing in Michigan, at least two ‘uncommitted’ delegates will be present at the Democratic National Convention in August. The Washington union applauded the Michigan voters who opted for ‘uncommitted,’ urging Biden to endorse a lasting ceasefire and halt U.S. funding for the conflict.
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