The United Electrical Workers endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Monday, The Hill reported.
"Bernie understands the need for workers to have a democratic, independent union movement that is unafraid to challenge Corporate America's stranglehold on our economy," union President Peter Knowlton said in a statement after the 35,000-member group unanimously voted to endorse Sanders.
Delegates to the national convention gave Sanders their backing just after he completed a 45-minute speech in which he said, "We are in a struggle for the future of this country. It is a fight that we cannot and will not lose," WESA reported.
The endorsement was expected, as Sanders also received the support of the United Electrical Workers in 2016, and he has been allied with the union – one of the nation's most progressive – ever since.
In his speech, Sanders emphasized the need to for the working class to take an "offensive" approach, The Hill reported.
Sanders released a plan last week that seeks to double union membership during his first term in office.
Under his plan, the National Labor Relations Board would be allowed to certify a union if a majority of eligible workers consent and enact "first contract" provisions that order employers to begin negotiating within 10 days of receiving a request from a new union and to lay out a mediation process.
Sanders is the second presidential candidate to receive a major union endorsement. The International Association of Fire Fighters earlier this year endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden.
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