Working people ready to fight for a vision of America with a strong middle class and a better future for all working families.
New Orleans, LA – Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 21 LA announced their endorsement of President Barack Obama for re-election in 2012. The endorsement is a part of a broader “99 percent strategy” to create good jobs now, end devastating cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other critical programs, require everyone to pay their fair share in taxes, and create a fair path to citizenship for immigrant workers.
Today’s announcement comes in conjunction with the national endorsement by the 2.1 million-member SEIU. The endorsement is the culmination of a six month conversation among SEIU members and leaders across the country that evaluated the candidates, identified members’ priorities, and ultimately led to a final endorsement.
21 LA Members discuss endorsing President
Obama for reelection in 2012.
“We believe in a country where people come before profits, where every American has a good job to support our families, where workers can retire with dignity and where our children can do better than we did,” said Helene O’Brien, 21 LA president. “That’s why the Louisiana Head Start workers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and custodians are endorsing President Barack Obama.
“President Obama is the only candidate I can trust to put the interests of the 99 percent of us who are struggling above the interests of large corporations,” said Tiea Silby, janitor in the Recovery School District. “He is concerned about ensuring my family has access to quality affordable healthcare. And President Obama is the only one who has shown a willingness to invest in our future through good schools and rebuilding our roads and bridges.”
With the endorsement, SEIU is committing to a robust campaign to engage SEIU members and their families and friends as well as the general public in the fight to re-elect President Obama. This campaign will include direct voter contact and field operations such as phone banks, door-to-door canvassing, and increased COPE, or Political Action Committee, fundraising.
Jefferson Parish bus driver, Everett Armand (standing) discussing President Obama and the 2012 presidential election with Rev. Joseph Johnson, Jefferson Parish plant manager (seated).
“With so much at stake, there is no time to lose. There is no reason to wait,” said Precious Brock, Baton Rouge worker. “I’m going to knock on doors and do everything I can with my co-workers, family and friends to make sure Louisiana reelects President Obama. The stakes are too high for my family not to do everything we can to help.”
21 LA members participate in group discussions regarding the 2012 presidential election.
Media inquires please contact:
Jewel Bush, Communications Coordinator
jewel.bush@seiu21la.org
(504) 322-4243 (office); (225) 454-3853
