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Montana AFL-CIO President: “Jon Tester is the only candidate in this Senate race that is fighting on behalf of Montana’s workers and their families”

BILLINGS – Today, Montana AFL-CIO announced their major statewide union endorsement for third-generation dirt farmer Jon Tester in his reelection campaign for U.S. Senate. 

Montana AFL-CIO represents 38 unions and 500 locals in the state of Montana. They represent over 50,000 workers, including teachers, carpenters, steelworkers, health care workers, plumbers and pipefitters, firefighters, federal employees, and so many more. The endorsement represents a huge show of support from Montana’s working people for Sen. Jon Tester.

“From teachers to firefighters, health care workers to pipefitters, Montanans are the hardest workers I know – and I’ll always have their backs,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’ll never stop fighting to hold large corporations accountable, guarantee the right of workers to collectively bargain, and ensure Montanans have a seat at the table to secure fair wages, safe working conditions, quality health care, and benefits for their families. I will always stand with our unions and defend Montana’s workers.”

“Workers across Montana work day in and out to build our local economies and support their families. They want to vote for candidates who not only show up but take the time to understand their issues and listen to their concerns,” said Jason Small, Montana AFL-CIO executive secretary. “Sen. Tester took the time to go through our entire endorsement process. We are incredibly thankful we have leaders like Jon that understand that workers’ voices deserve to be heard and responded to. Sen. Tester’s record shows he fights for effective and common sense legislation that betters the lives of working families – this is why we are endorsing him in his re-election, to make sure Montana’s workers continue to have a voice in the Senate.”

“Jon Tester is the only candidate in this Senate race that is fighting on behalf of Montana’s workers and their families,” said Erin Foley, President of Montana AFL-CIO and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 2. “Jon’s stood up for Montana’s unions from day one, and we know that he’ll always fight on our behalf in Washington to ensure that workers are getting a fair deal. Jon answers to the people of Montana, not outside special interests that want to kneecap unions and change our state.”

“Jon Tester remains a staunch advocate for expanding and improving rural health care, and continues to fight to protect and support rural nursing homes. Jon understands that every health care worker deserves the dignity to work and will continue to fight for us in D.C.,” said Jacquie Helt, SEIU Local 775. “We are the nurses and caregivers that look after Montana’s seniors, and we are proud to endorse and support Jon Tester in his re-election to the U.S. Senate.”

“From Three Forks to Colstrip, Jon Tester stands side by side with Montana workers every day fighting for our rights in the Senate,” said Clint Penny, Boilermakers Local 11. “We enthusiastically support Jon in his reelection bid because we need a champion in the Senate. Thank you, Senator Tester, for your continued efforts to ensure Montana’s builders, forgers, and construction workers have collective bargaining rights and safe working environments.”

“As a former public school teacher, Jon has shown that he’ll stand up for Montana’s teachers and public employees time and time again,” said Rep. Denise Baum, MFPE. “Whether he’s working to get law enforcement officers like myself the tools we need to keep Montana families safe or he’s fighting to ensure Montana students get the education they deserve, Jon’s always delivered for Montana families and our communities.”

Jon Tester has a strong record of supporting unions and fighting for Montana’s workers. He recently voted to uphold the new Joint Employer Rule of the National Labor Relations Board to protect collective bargaining and make sure workers are included in workplace decisions. Jon continues to work to create jobs and opportunities across the state, and he will always stand up to large corporations to ensure the voices of Montana’s workers are heard.  

Montana AFL-CIO represents 38 unions, 500 locals, and over 50,000 workers in the state of Montana, including: 

Montana Federation of Public Employees

Teamsters Local 2 and Local 190

IBEW Local 44, Local 206, Local 233, Local 532, Local 768, Local 1638

United Steelworkers District 11

SEIU 775 and SEIU 1199NW

Montana Nurses Association

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 400

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of Plumbing and Pipefitting (UA) Local 30 and Local 41

LiUNA! Local 1686

AFSCME Council 9

Montana State Conference of Professional Fire Fighters

Western States Carpenters

SMART Local 103 

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 11

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82

American Federation of Government Employees District 11

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 19 and District Lodge 24

The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 732