State’s largest union praises Sanders’ core pro-worker principles

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The board of Vermont’s largest union today announced its support for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

“We want to let the whole country in on what we in Vermont have long known,” said Martha Allen, a K-12 librarian from Canaan, Vt., who serves as Vermont-NEA’s president. “Bernie’s core values are in line with ours: he is pro-family, pro-worker, pro-education and pro-labor and we believe the time has come for his vision to become a national reality.”

The union has long supported Bernie, citing his unwavering support of Vermont’s – and America’s – working class. His views on public education, economic inequality, and working men and women are in line with Vermont-NEA’s own values. With the board’s nod, members will begin to spread Bernie’s message, particularly to the state directly east of Vermont’s border.

“In Vermont, we’re very fortunate to have a senator who represents the middle class over the titans of Wall Street,” Allen said. “We believe that with Bernie in the White House, America’s working families will be able to flourish and grow. His ideas around banking reform, student debt, and public education are refreshing and exciting.”

Allen noted that the rest of the country is paying attention to Bernie. “Everywhere Bernie goes, he attracts over-capacity crowds,” Allen said. “His message – the same one he has had for decades – is resonating far from Vermont’s borders.”

Vermont-NEA is the state’s largest union, with members in virtually every town in Vermont. The union’s 12,000 members spend their days working with and for Vermont’s children, ensuring that they have the best schools to prepare them for happy, productive lives.

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Bernie 2016
June 24, 2015
Contact: Michael Briggs

NEA in Vermont Endorses Bernie

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont NEA on Wednesday endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

“School teachers and educators are real American heroes. I am honored to have their backing,” said Sanders.

Martha Allen, a K-12 librarian from Canaan, Vermont, and the state NEA president, announced the endorsement. “We want to let the whole country in on what we in Vermont have long known,” she said. “Bernie’s core values are in line with ours: he is pro-family, pro-worker, pro-education and pro-labor and we believe the time has come for his vision to become a national reality.”

The union is a long-time backer of the senator. “In Vermont, we’re very fortunate to have a senator who represents the middle class over the titans of Wall Street,” Allen said. “We believe that with Bernie in the White House, America’s working families will be able to flourish and grow. His ideas around banking reform, student debt, and public education are refreshing and exciting.”

Vermont-NEA is the state’s largest union with 12,000 members.