Longshoremen’s Association Endorses Hillary Clinton

International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) officials made it clear they mean to consolidate their power by announcing their endorsement of Hillary Clinton in Right to Work South Carolina.  She peppered her acceptance speech with references to The Palmetto State being a Right to Work state.  Schulyer Kropf has the story in the Post And Courier Online.

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton accepted the national endorsement of the country’s biggest dockworkers union Saturday morning in Charleston, saying organized labor protects all facets of American workers, including those among the middle class in South Carolina.

Charleston, saying organized labor protects all facets of American workers, including those among the middle class in South Carolina.

The 65,000-member International Longshoremen’s Association union announced its support earlier this week but had agreed to formalize and present the endorsement during Clinton’s address Saturday at the Charleston stevedore hall. Her “concern for working Americans has been loud and clear,†ILA national president Harold Daggett said in his endorsement message.

Charleston ILA president Kenny Riley said the backing for Clinton is based on her support of labor and because she recognizes the mission of protecting American trade in the world.

The ILA union is the most visible on South Carolina’s coast. Local 1422 has 800 members and another 1,300 apprentice members.