WASHINGTON (PAI)—In a predictable decision, the AFL-CIO formally endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president on June 16.

The decision was from the union federation’s General Executive Board, and required votes from delegates representing a supermajority of the federation’s 12.5 million members. The federation did not release a vote count.

The endorsement became virtually certain after Clinton won four of five primaries in early June, including California and New Jersey, clinching the number of delegates she needed to take the Democratic presidential nomination.

Before that, more than 20 AFL-CIO unions had endorsed her, compared to a handful for her remaining challenger, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Ind.-Vt.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka called Clinton “a proven leader who shares our values.

“Throughout the campaign, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the issues that matter to working people, and our members have taken notice. The activism of working people has already been a major force in this election and is now poised to elect Hillary Clinton and move America forward.”

But he also praised Sanders’ “important voice.” Sanders “elevated critical issues and strengthened the foundation of our movement. His impact on American politics cannot be overstated.” Though Trumka did not say so, the yawning gap in income between the rich and the rest of us was a centerpiece of Sanders’ campaign.

“We are ready to fight hard to restore faith in America and improve the lives of all working people. Hillary Clinton has proven herself as a champion of the labor movement, and we will be the driving force to elect her president of the United States,” Trumka added.

Lee Saunders, AFSCME president and chair of the AFL-CIO Political Committee, went after Clinton’s foe, presumed GOP nominee, blowhard businessman Donald Trump. “This election offers a stark choice between an unstoppable champion for working families and an unstable charlatan who made his fortune scamming them,” Saunders said.

He said the federation would start its ground campaign now to elect Clinton and other union-friendly candidates nationwide. "We will run a sophisticated, targeted ground campaign. And with the dire consequences Donald Trump poses for America’s working families, it has to be," Trumka said.

Clinton has served as secretary of state, senator from New York, first lady of the United States, first lady of Arkansas, a practicing lawyer and law professor, activist, and volunteer

The same day, the General Board of the Michigan AFL-CIO also voted to endorse Clinton for president. Michigan State AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber issued the following statement:

“Working people in Michigan need a tough leader in the White House who shares our values, and that’s why we’re uniting behind Hillary Clinton. Hillary has always been a relentless champion for good jobs, and throughout this campaign she has demonstrated a strong commitment to raising wages for working people. That’s exactly the kind of leadership we need to make America’s economy work for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

“Donald Trump would be an absolute disaster for Michigan and our auto industry. Trump actually suggested moving auto jobs out of Michigan as a way to cut wages for our auto workers. That kind of thinking is dumb, dangerous, and would destroy Michigan’s economy. Throughout his career, Trump has repeatedly failed to pay his bills on time and routinely denied employees their pay. Make no mistake, Donald Trump is a selfish fraud, and he’s totally unfit to be president.

“Working people across Michigan are ready to roll up our sleeves and work together between now and November to defeat Donald Trump and make Hillary Clinton our next president.”