Politics

EPMU backs Little as Labour leader

10:06 am on 20 October 2014

The Labour Party's largest affiliated union has decided to support its former national secretary Andrew Little to lead the party.

Andrew Little. Photo: RNZ / Demelza Leslie

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union's national executive has recommended to its conference delegates that they give Mr Little their first preference in the Labour leadership ballot.

Under its rules the delegates to its last conference vote on the leadership.

Union national secretary Bill Newsom said it was giving no direction to the delegates about how they should rank the other Labour candidates - Grant Robertson, David Parker and Nanaia Mahuta.

Labour leadership candidates. (L-R) Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little and David Parker. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

In a statement the EPMU said the delegates, who vote on behalf of all members of the union, were encouraged to seek feedback from fellow union members before voting.