The Associated Press
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000; 4:14 p.m. EDT

ERIE, Pa. –– An electrical workers' union voted Wednesday to endorse Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader, its first departure from backing Democrats.

"We have to become aggressive. If it means not being popular, so be it," said Dennis Crawford, an Erie member of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.

Nader spoke to the union's 200 delegates at its 65th national convention on Tuesday. The consumer advocate offered himself as an alternative to Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore, even though the Democratic Party has traditionally been labor's partner in politics.

Of the union's 35,000 members, 3,500 work at GE Transportation Systems Inc. in Erie.

The union usually declines to endorse presidential candidates. Before Nader, it endorsed only four in its history – Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, George McGovern and Michael Dukakis.

"We're very excited about the endorsement," said Laura Jones, a Nader spokeswoman. "From the California Nurses Association on the West Coast to the UE here on the East Coast, there is growing enthusiasm among workers and union members all across the country for this campaign."