SEIU 32BJ, Local 668, Healthcare PA, and PA Joint Board of Workers United join together to back Summer Lee
For Immediate Release: February 1, 2022
Contact: press@SummerforPA.com; scott.vogel@seiuhcpa.org
BRADDOCK, PA — Today, the Summer Lee for Congress campaign announced the endorsement of the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council, which is comprised of SEIU 32BJ, SEIU Local 668, SEIU Healthcare PA, and PA Joint Board of Workers United. The union represents over 80,000 workers, including healthcare workers, government employees, social workers, maintenance workers, food service workers, cleaners and many others across Pennsylvania. This morning, Mayor Ed Gainey as well as SEIU leadership and members will join Lee to announce the endorsement in Mellon Square Park.
“This campaign is a movement for and by working class Pennsylvanians and I am so grateful to have the support of SEIU in this race,” said Summer Lee. “Our district can be the model for the future of our country’s labor movement – a future where every worker has a union. A multiracial, multigenerational labor movement that lifts all working class people out of poverty is possible and I am ready to fight in Congress to make that a reality.”
“We are ‘all in’ to elect Summer Lee who will continue to speak out, show up, and take action to lift up the voices of all workers and be a champion on issues that build power for working people,” said Matthew Yarnell, President of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. “Summer Lee is the candidate in this primary who’s proven her commitment time and again by putting workers and patients first at the table. She’s the clear choice for those who want a member of Congress who’ll get results.”
“State Rep. Summer Lee has always fought for the working families SEIU represents, both in her district and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Steve Catanese, President of SEIU Local 668. “That’s why we are proud to stand with her as she runs for Congress, as we know she’ll bring the same passion and worker-centric perspective with her to Washington, DC.”
“As an essential worker who won wage increases and health benefits through my union, I know the difference organizing can make,” said Carmen Williams, 32BJ SEIU member and security officer at Allegheny General Hospital. “We are proud to endorse Summer Lee for Congress because she understands that the key to rebuilding our economy is to ensure workers can come together and collectively fight for living wages, good benefits and respect on the job.”
Summer Lee has already been endorsed by leading progressive organizations including Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, Democracy for America, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Way to Lead, Future Generations PAC, KendraPAC, Food and Water Watch Action, Sunrise Movement Pittsburgh, and the League of Conservation Voters. She has also been endorsed by elected officials across Pennsylvania including Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, and dozens of others.
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More information on Summer Lee’s Congressional Campaign can be found here. Follow Summer Lee on Twitter here.