Service Employees Union to Boost Efforts for Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) -- One of the nation's top labor unions says it will back President Barack Obama's re-election bid on a wider scale than it did four years ago.

The Service Employees International Union plans to mobilize its 2.1 million members earlier than usual and focus on reaching out to Latino and African-American voters.

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry says the union is starting early partly because of reports that some Obama supporters are less enthusiastic than they were four years ago.

The union was one of Obama's earliest backers in 2008. It spent about $60 million to help him win and became an influential voice in forming administration policy.

Some union leaders have expressed disappointment with Obama. SEIU has remained a steadfast supporter.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.