Two Large Unions Set to Push for Dean

One of the Nation's Largest Unions Endorses Dean; Second One Poised to Do the Same

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Nov. 6 — In a huge campaign coup, Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean won the support of one of the nation's largest unions on Thursday and was poised to capture the endorsement of a second labor powerhouse.
Backing from both the Service Employees International Union, with 1.6 million members, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, with 1.5 million, would help transform Dean from surprise insurgent to solid front-runner in the Democratic presidential race.

SEIU endorsed Dean on Thursday, but delayed a formal announcement until next week at the request of AFSCME, which is prepared to follow on Wednesday, several Democratic and labor officials said.

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"We all agree that it's in the best interest of our members to be as united as possible," said AFSCME spokesman Ethan Rome. "Our two unions agreed to a timetable that would give us the opportunity to see if we share a common agenda around the Democratic nomination. That will be clear next week."

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