State Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-VIrginia, got an endorsement for his gubernatorial run from out-of-work union workers at U.S. Steel's Keewatin Taconite plant, his campaign announced today.
From the campaign:
United Steel Workers Local 2660 has endorsed DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina for Governor, according to union president Jack Thronson. The union, based at U.S. Steel's Keewatin Taconite plant, represents about 325 members, most of whom have been laid off since December 2008.
"Our members appreciate everything Tom Rukavina has done for us," Thronson said. "We need a friend like him in the Governor's office to help get the economy rolling again and get our jobs back."
The endorsement came as union members met for the first time since receiving notification that they would not be called back to work in September as expected.
"I didn't ask them to endorse," Rukavina said. "These guys are struggling to deal with the news that their jobs are gone. They had a lot to think about; I didn't want to add to that."
Union members felt differently, and the endorsement motion was adopted unanimously.
"I was really touched by their support," Rukavina said. "They deserve a governor who puts working people and jobs at the top of his list of priorities."
