- AFL-CIO President Endorsement
- Demonstrated Leadership and Commitment to Issues That Matter to Working People
- Working Families Party Backing
- Bernie Sanders Endorsement
Among her earliest supporters, SEIU has enthusiastically supported Hillary Clinton’s run for President of The United States. It is with deep appreciation that our voice and that of other unions has recently been joined by the largest labor organization in the country.
Patrick Caldwell reports on June 16, 2016 on Hillary Clinton’s endorsement by AFL-CIO. This is significant because the nation’s biggest labor federation in the country (12.5 million members) had remained noticeably quiet until the recent board vote. Caldwell’s article quotes AFL-CIO president as follows: “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”.
Time Magazine published an interpretation on the same date as Caldwell’s article. Sam Frizell opens by quoting Richard Trumka: “AFL-CIO calls her a proven leader who shares our values”. Further in the article, the Trumka quote continues: ““Throughout the campaign, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the issues that matter to working people, and our members have taken notice.”
Responding to the endorsement by AFL-CIO, Hillary commented: “Workers will always have a seat at the table and a champion in the White House”.
Today, August 18th, 2016, in Scranton, PA, it was announced on Eric DuVall’s post on UPI’s site that the Working Families Party, which had previously endorsed Sen. Sanders, is now backing Clinton – especially noted in the article was praise for Clinton’s proposals on election reform, immigration and the economy.
This revised position did not come without debate. According to DuVall’s report, this decision came with the backing of 68% of the membership and a stern warning that there will be ongoing effort through social movements, unions, progressive activists and organizations to “hold her accountable for her campaign promises”.
On July 27, 2016, Jamie Reysen reports on amny.com, that Meryl Streep provides outspoken support for Hillary Clinton in her Democratic National Convention speech. See this article for a list of celebrities including: Lady Gaga, Amy Schumer, Julianne Moore, George Clooney, Ja Rule, America Ferrera, and many more.
The SEIU Nurse Alliance of California adds it’s voice in support of Hillary to the throngs of others mentioned above. But most importantly, is that we exercise our voices and vote. Although the articles mentioned and quoted above support our urgent priority to unite our voices behind Clinton, it is important to acknowledge that there is significant lingering, and potentially divisive energy to continue support for Bernie Sanders. This article on CNNPolitics.com should clarify for anyone leaning that direction, that Bernie Sanders himself, endorses Hillary Clinton and encourages a unified stand in support of her on election day.
