In a statement, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka praised Sanders, saying he “brought an important voice to this election and has elevated critical issues and strengthened the foundation of our movement.”

The remarks of Trumka and other labor leaders focused largely on what's ahead, however.

AD

AD

Trumka said the AFL-CIO would run “a sophisticated, targeted ground campaign” to benefit Clinton. “And with the dire consequences Donald Trump poses for America’s working families, it has to be,” he added.

In a statement, Clinton said she would fight for several labor priorities, including making “the biggest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System.”

“To build a 21st century economy, we need 21st century roads, ports, transit systems, water systems, and electric grids,” she said.

Clinton also pledged to advocate for raising the federal minimum wage, guaranteeing paid family leave for workers and securing equal pay for women.

AD

Thursday’s vote to endorse Clinton was not in doubt. It required a two-thirds majority of the AFL-CIO membership and a majority of the 57 member unions were already confirmed Clinton supporters.

AD

Donald Trump responded to the news with a lengthy statement, asserting that "the leadership of the AFL-CIO has made clear that it no longer represents American workers" and had "become part of the rigged system in Washington, D.C. that benefits only the insiders."

"I believe their members will be voting for me in much larger numbers than for her," said Trump.

The presumptive Republican nominee for president went on to present himself as the true heir to Bernie Sanders, a tactic he's used since it became clear that Clinton would power past him and secure the nomination.

AD

"Hillary Clinton and her husband have made hundreds of millions of dollars doing favors and selling access to Wall Street, special interests and oppressive foreign regimes," said Trump. "As Bernie Sanders said, 'Why, over her political career, has Wall Street been the major campaign contributor to Hillary Clinton?' They own Hillary Clinton and she will do whatever they tell her to. Bernie Sanders is also 100 percent correct when he says that Hillary Clinton 'vote[d] for virtually every trade agreement that has cost the workers of this country millions of jobs.'"