John Edwards Walks APWU Picket Line

John Edwards, the Democrats' vice presidential candidate last year, gave a boost to striking APWU truck drivers in Des Moines when he walked the picket line with them April 1. 

The union drivers work for Mail Contractors of America (MCA), one of the nation's largest private mail haulers.

Edwards, a former U.S. senator, walked the line for about 20 minutes, according to Des Moines Area Local APWU President Lance Coles. "He expressed his support for the drivers' cause and talked with several of them individually," Coles said. "While walking with the APWU members, he spoke with President Burrus by phone."

More than 100 MCA drivers walked off the job March 22 in Des Moines and Kansas City, KS. About 70 MCA drivers in Jacksonville, FL, joined the walkout two days later. The strikers are demanding an end to unfair labor practices by the company.