The Wisconsin AFL-CIO voted Thursday to endorse state Attorney General Jim Doyle for governor after postponing the vote from their meeting a week ago Wednesday.
According to the labor union's president David Newby, Doyle's agenda backs good health care and jobs that support families while improving the educational system.
\It's the agenda for the working men and women of Wisconsin,"" Newby said, adding that Doyle cares about working people's concerns whether they are union members.
The AFL-CIO plans to reach voters across the state and its 280,000 affiliated members by phone, mailings or leaflets distributed at work locations. According to Newby, the union will not only advocate supporting Doyle, but will compare the different candidates' positions on issues that affect workers.
Jessica Erikson, Doyle's press secretary, said the campaign worked hard on providing the working class with a reason to support them.
""Jim Doyle has spent his entire life working for people and working for change,"" she said. ""It's clear that working men and women want change ... they want to make sure workers rights and benefits are protected.""
Although Newby said the committee showed overwhelming support for Doyle, he said some are concerned that approximately 12,000 state employees may lose jobs as a result of Doyle's plan to balance the budget.
""Doyle is not saying he's going to layoff state employees but he does say there are efficiencies to be made,"" Newby said.
UW-Madison political science Professor Dennis Dresang said the endorsement for Doyle did not come as a surprise and it reflected the image of Doyle being a friend of workers and of incumbent Gov. Scott McCallum being a candidate for big business.
According to Dresang, the AFL-CIO will be an important support base for Doyle's campaign.
""Labor unions are very good at providing people to help with phone banks and getting the vote out,"" Dresang said.
Even though Wisconsin does not have as many AFL-CIO members as the more heavily industrialized states, Dresang said, the goal is not getting every member to support Doyle, but rather to portray Doyle as the worker's friend.
Erikson said the campaign was pleased to have the AFL-CIO on board.
""The AFL-CIO will play an important part in letting members and voters statewide know about Jim Doyle, his record and his vision for Wisconsin,"" she said. ""We are happy to have their support and look forward to working with them throughout the remainder of the general election campaign.\
