AFGE, Largest Union Federal Workers' Union, Endorses Biden

The American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE), which is the largest union representing federal and D.C. government employees, Monday announced its endorsement of Joe Biden for the November presidential election, stating that the former vice president is "the clear choice" for its members. 

“For AFGE members who are concerned about providing for themselves and their families, protecting their rights at work, being able to perform their job without undue political influence, and ensuring the security of their pay, benefits, and retirement, Joe Biden is a clear choice," the union said in a statement released Monday.

AFGE's endorsement followed a lengthy endorsement process that included an online poll for every member of the union, a scientific poll, straw polls, and a questionnaire addressing issues deemed important to members. 

"In the polls that we have conducted, the overwhelming majority of our members expressed support for Joe Biden as the nominee," the union said in its press release. "When every member was given the opportunity to vote, our members supported Joe Biden over Donald Trump by over 30 points – 58.4% for Biden compared to 28% for Trump."

In the scientific poll, where results were weighed to reflect the demographic makeup of union members, Biden still led among members by 62% to Trump's 17%. 

Biden, while answering a questionnaire, also made a commitment to protect benefits and retirement from "cost-sharing schemes" benefiting insurance companies and big banks, to "roll back the assaults" on workers' rights, and ensure they are paid fairly and treated with dignity and respect. 

The former vice president's team has also incorporated several AFGE priorities into his policy plans, the union said, but Trump did not respond to the questionnaire. 

The union also pointed out that three of Trump's executive orders took away federal workers' rights to fair treatment and said he has torn up negotiated union contracts, proposed pay freezes, and benefit cuts.

And, the union added, Trump was in charge during the longest government shutdown in history, forcing hundreds of thousands of federal workers to use food banks to feed their families. 

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