In some instances, the unions backed the same candidates.

Until 1977, his Government was backed by the Soviet Union.

In 1986, when the union backed more than twice as many candidates as now, 92 had minority backgrounds.

The politically influential correctional officers' union also backs the law, having donated $150,000 to the cause.

The group was backed by both Cuba and the Soviet Union.

A telephone company technician said he always voted for the candidate his union backed, but he did not yet know who that was this year.

About a dozen unions backed the strike, including port workers who object to a government proposal to make ports independent.

He raised $100,000 of his $500,000 budget and was endorsed by the United Mine Workers, the first time the union has backed an independent.

Then the largest local union, the Civil Service Employees Association, backed him.

In other districts, the teachers' and supervisors' unions backed fewer than nine candidates, even though there are nine seats on each board.