Service employees union backs Obama

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The Service Employees International Union, one of the largest U.S. labor unions, Friday endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for president of the United States.

The backing of the 1.8-million member SEIU, comes as the senator from Illinois builds momentum in the Democratic presidential contest with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., The Hill reported.

SEIU President Andy Stern said the union's board overwhelmingly voted to endorse Obama.

"We now have one united SEIU, in terms of our way forward," Stern said. "We have an enormous amount of respect for Sen. Clinton, but it's now become clear members and leaders want to become part of an effort to elect Barack Obama the next president."

On Thursday, the United Food and Commercial Workers union said it would endorse Obama.