AFL-CIO president urges unions to step up for Dems

[August 03, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the nation's largest labor federation is urging union leaders to step up support for Democrats in the November elections.

AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka says he understands some union members may be frustrated with the pace of gains on labor's agenda. But he says unions need to recapture the sense of enthusiasm that helped propel President Barack Obama into office two years ago.

In a speech to the federation's leaders and political staff, Trumka praises Obama for creating new jobs, overhauling the health care system and pushing through tough new Wall Street reforms.

The federation plans to spend more than $50 million on elections in 20-23 states. Most of its resources and money will go to races in California, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

[Associated Press; By SAM HANANEL]

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