"Tom Perez believes in American workers and that in the future of the Democratic Party will once again be the champion of the middle class," the union's president announced Friday. | Getty Perez picks up union endorsement

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) is endorsing former Labor Secretary Tom Perez in the race for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

"Tom Perez believes in American workers and that in the future of the Democratic Party will once again be the champion of the middle class," Mark McManus, the union's president, announced in a statement on Friday. "Tom understands the problems that working men and women face each and every day, which is why he has worked so hard to level the playing field, provide greater access to education and skills training, and crack down on employers who cheat workers out of wages. These are top priorities for the UA and for the entire country. I’m confident that Tom will provide the leadership to reach and empower working class Americans as Chair of the DNC."


Organized labor has so far divided its support between Perez and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, Perez's most high-profile competitor, in the race to run the Democratic committee.

Last week, Ellison captured the endorsement of UNITE HERE, which represents thousands of hospitality and culinary workers. The Minnesota congressman has also been endorsed by the AFL-CIO and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Perez, meanwhile, has already been endorsed by the United Farm Workers, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the Commercial Workers International Union.