SEIU endorses Governor Gregoire

Citing Governor Chris Gregoire’s record of support on quality services for all Washington residents, the 103,000 members of SEIU in Washington, including child care teachers, nurses, home care workers, public school workers, janitors, and other announced their support today for Governor Chris Gregoire.

 
The announcement, featuring members and presidents from all five SEIU locals in Washington, was made at Community Montessori in Tacoma.

 “Chris Gregoire is the Healthcare Governor – she’s fought through red tape to ensure our kids have access to quality healthcare, and she recognizes how important safe staffing in our hospitals is,” Bev Barker, an RN and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW member from Swedish Medical Center said. “As a nurse, I see how Governor Gregoire’s work protects patients.”

“Governor Gregoire has worked with child care providers, teachers, directors and advocates to ensure that low-income children have access to health care and quality child care so their parents can go to work and provide for their families,” said CathyRaye Hyland, director of Community Montessori in Tacoma and member of SEIU 925. “This important work needs to continue and we need Governor Gregoire in Olympia so we can continue to make progress.”

As Governor, Gregoire ensured health care coverage for 84,000 new children and 17,000 adults and established the goal of healthcare coverage for all children by 2010.

As Washinton's largest union, SEIU represents 103,000 Washington State workers in health care, public services, and property services. SEIU members are fighting for good jobs, safer staffing levels in hospitals and nursing homes, and for quality, reliable public services. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW reprseents 22,000 healthcare workers in hospitals and mental health facilities.
SEIU represents 1.9 million members nationwide.

View a slideshow of photos from this event