Service Employees International Union Locals 503 and Local 49 have endorsed presidential candidate John Edwards, citing his strong health care plan and support for workers’ rights.

The union includes 50,000 Oregon health care workers, property services workers, care providers and public employees.

They joined SEIU members from Washington, Idaho, California, Montana, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio and Minnesota to endorse Edwards. Collectively, the SEIU locals in the 10 states represent more than 920,000 working families.

Oregon SEIU members reviewed presidential candidates’ positions and heard directly from candidates seeking the SEIU endorsement at a member-political conference in Washington, D.C., in September.