The largest federation of labor unions announced on Thursday it is endorsing Hillary Clinton for president.
The vote by the board of the AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million workers, comes two days after the final votes in the Democratic primary contest were cast.
“Hillary Clinton is a proven leader who shares our values,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement. “Throughout the campaign, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the issues that matter to working people, and our members have taken notice.”
This endorsement comes as part of the effort to unite the party’s factions and try to win over disaffected blue-collar voters, who could be swayed by presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Labor, jobs and foreign trade will be key issues in the upcoming November election. Trump responded with a statement in which he accused Clinton of being, “totally owned by Wall Street.”
“The leadership of the AFL-CIO has made clear that it no longer represents American workers,” Trump said. “Instead they have become part of the rigged system in Washington, D.C. that benefits only the insiders.”
Clinton won the endorsements of many of the AFL-CIO’s largest members in the past year, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the American Federation of Teachers.
However, many rank-and-file unionists made it clear they didn’t agree with their leaders’ choice. Bernie Sanders continues to draw support among union members who agree with his opposition to past trade deals and calls for a $15 an hour minimum wage.
Trump has also seen some support from members who like his tough stand on issues like trade and immigration.
In her own statement, Clinton said she was honored to receive the endorsement.
“The AFL-CIO is one of America’s most vital organizations, having been on the front lines of the fight for good-paying jobs and careers with benefits and dignity for more than a century. AFL-CIO member unions contribute to virtually every sector of our economy and are on the job in every corner of our country building our infrastructure, teaching our children, sowing our fields, operating our ports, and entertaining us on stage and screen,” she said. “Members of the AFL-CIO know, as I do, that we are stronger together.”