The influential New York transit workers union endorsed Bernie Sanders for president on Wednesday.
In an almost unanimous vote, Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents 42,000 workers, threw its weight behind the Vermont senator.
Later on the same day, Sanders spoke in support of Verizon workers on strike.
The Working Families Party posted to Facebook a video of Sanders' speech at the picket line (which begins at around 22:00).
"We're fighting a vicious corporation, but we've got a champion that's fighting for us," a strike leader said, introducing the presidential candidate. "Let's hear it for Bernie Sanders!"
The crowd chanted "Bernie, Bernie!" as the self-described democratic socialist stood up on the podium.
Sanders appeared to be holding notes, but instead spoke impromptu. A transcript of his speech follows:
"Brothers and sisters. Thank you for your courage and standing up for justice against corporate greed.
Verizon is one of the largest, most profitable corporations in this country, but they refuse to sit down and negotiate a fair contract.
They want to take away the health benefits that you have earned.
They want to outsource decent-paying jobs.
They want to give their CEO $20 million a year.
They want to avoid paying federal income taxes.
In other words, this is just another major American corporation trying to destroy the lives of working Americans.
Today, you are standing up not just for justice for Verizon workers; you're standing up for millions of Americans who don't have a union.
And you're telling corporate America they cannot have it all. You're telling corporate America that workers in this country are not going to be continued to push down and down and down.
The working class of this country deserves to earn decent wages, decent benefits, and not see their jobs go to low-wage countries.
I'm here today not just to support the CWA [Communication Workers of America union]. I know how hard it is, what a difficult decision it is to go out on strike. And I know you thought a whole lot about it, and I know your families are going to pay a price to go out on strike.
But you have chosen to stand up for dignity, for justice, and to take on an enormously powerful special interest.
So on behalf of every worker in America, those facing the same kind of pressure, thank you for what you are doing. We're gonna win this thing!"
Enthusiastic chants of "Bernie, Bernie!" and "We will win!" exploded as Sanders stepped down. He walked off the podium and briefly posed with people with "Labor for Bernie" shirts on.
This is not the first time Sanders has stood with Verizon workers on strike.
In October, Sanders again joined in solidarity with Verizon workers on the picket line. "It’s hard to see any of the other presidential candidates doing this," the Huffington Post reported at the time.
Sanders' competitor, Wall Street-backed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, certainly did not do the same, although she offered tepid support for the Verizon workers, writing in a statement, "Verizon should come back to the bargaining table with a fair offer for their workers."
The Clintons are not exactly known for being pro-labor. The "New Democrat" movement they heelped create embraced neoliberal economics and moved away from a labor mass base.
Labor activists have in fact pointed out that, on their first date, Bill and Hillary crossed a picket line.
According to watchdog NGO Open Secrets, from 1999 to 2015, 18 of the top 20 (90 percent) contributors to Hillary Clinton were corporations or firms that provide services to corporations. On the other hand, from 1989 to 2015, 19 of the top 20 (95 percent) contributors to Bernie Sanders were unions.
Sanders has won eight of the last nine Democratic primary contests by double digits — although Clinton still received more total delegates, because of the undemocratic superdelegate system.
Bernie has serious momentum going into New York, where the primary will be held on April 19. Polls show Clinton leading in popularity, but Sanders has rapidly closed the gap.
Sanders has insisted that, if he wins New York, he will win the presidency. The number show he could be right.
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