Health Care
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Is A
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Unions for Single Payer H.R. 676 - Updates
Printer-friendly versionNews Updates Provided by: Unions for Single Payer H.R. 676
10/23/08 - Communications Workers of America Endorses HR 676
Washington, DC The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is the 20th
international union to endorse HR 676, national single payer healthcare
legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).
The endorsement came in a comprehensive resolution on national health care
reform that was passed at CWA's recent 70th Annual Convention in Las
Vegas, June 23-25, 2008.
Shortly after the October 15th presidential debate, Larry Cohen, CWA
International Union President, referred to the convention action in an
on-line chat with CWA members. Responding to a CWA member who asked about support for HR 676, Cohen said: "We strongly support H.R.676. It was one of three bills that were cited in the CWA convention resolution among pending legislation that address CWA's key principles for health reform."
10/20/08 -
Philadelphia Healthcare Union Endorses HR 676
Philadelphia, PA The Delegates Assembly of District 1199C,
Philadelphia Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (AFSCME), voted
unanimously October 8th to endorse HR 676, the national single payer
health care bill introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D MI).
Following the vote 1199C President Henry Nicholas said: "No one has been
more out front on single payer than our union. More than 77 million
people will be without health care insurance as a result of the current
economic collapse. We need HR 676 now more than ever."
Walter Tsou, MD, a past national president of Physicians for a National
Health Program (PNHP) and past president of the American Public Health
Association, addressed the Delegates Assembly on the issue of single payer
prior to the vote.
District 1199C represents 17,000 workers in major hospitals and other
health institutions in the Philadelphia area.
10/14/08 - Entertainment Industry Unions Endorse HR 676 Two local unions in the entertainment industry have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In Weehawken, New Jersey, delegates to the District 10 Convention of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) endorsed the Conyers bill, reports Robert Score, a delegate to the convention and Recording Corresponding secretary of IATSE Local One. In San Francisco, California, Gretchen Elliot, Secretary-Treasurer of Musicians Local 6 (AFM), reports that her local union has also adopted a resolution in support of HR 676.
10/07/08 - Utility Workers Union of America Endorses HR 676 Washington, DC. The Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) became the 19th international union to endorse HR 676 after its Executive Board voted October 7th to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The UWUA represents over 50,000 members working in the electric, gas, water, and nuclear industries across the United States. Gary Ruffner, UWUA Secretary Treasurer, said after the unanimous vote: "Single payer is the only way to consolidate administrative costs so that it cuts the cost of healthcare." International/national unions that have endorsed HR 676 are USW, UAW, NEA, ILWU, NALC, IAM, UA (Plumbers & Pipefitters), AFM (Musicians), UE, CNA/NNOC, SMWIA, IFPTE, OPEIU, UTU, SEIU, AFT, AFSCME, CSEA (California School Employees Association), and UWUA.
10/06/08-
Child Care Providers and Letter Carriers Endorse HR 676 Local unions in AFSCME and the NALC have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In Iowa, AFSCME statewide Local 1212 Child Care Providers endorsed HR 676, reports Larraine Murray, Health Insurance Committee Chair. Murray said the newly organized local -- jumped at the chance to endorsed HR 676 the minute we read the bill. Seventy percent of Iowa's working families depend on this "critical need service' that we provide. Forty percent of Iowa's child care providers are uninsured. The other providers depend on spouses to cover them or pay high out of pocket insurance premiums. Iowa's childcare providers on an average make $14,500. Most of us rely on a faith based health system, "We pray to God ever day that we don't become ill." Besides, health care should be a right not a privilege. In Ukiah, California, Terry Poplawski, President of NALC Branch 1563, reports that his local has also endorsed the Conyers bill. Poplawski said: "We know even those of us who have health insurance through Federal Employees" program stand to benefit from a single payer system that would cover all residents of this land.
09/30/08-
South Dakota and California Labor Councils Endorse HR 676 Two more central labor councils have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). One hundred and sixteen central labor councils (CLC's) and Area Labor Federations (ALF's) have now endorsed the Conyers bill. In South Dakota, President James Larson reports that the Sioux Falls Trades and Labor Assembly AFL-CIO endorsed HR 676. In California, the Sacramento Central Labor Council AFL-CIO reports that it has endorsed HR 676.
09/23/08 -
IUE-CWA Local 201 Endorses HR 676 IUE-CWA Local 201, in Lynn, Massachusetts, has endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Local 201, which represents 2,225 workers at GE Aviation and Veolis Water in Lynn, Ametek Aerospace in Wilmington, plus thousands of retiree lifetime members, voted to endorse HR 676 at its August 20th membership meeting, reports Business Agent Ric Casilli.
09/19/08 -
Nevada and Massachusetts State AFL-CIO's Endorse HR 676 State conventions of the Nevada AFL-CIO and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO have both passed resolutions endorsing HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Thirty-nine state labor federations have now endorsed HR 676. The resolution of the Nevada State AFL-CIO passed August 19th and was reported by Danny L. Thompson Executive Secretary Treasurer. In Massachusetts, delegates to the Massachusetts AFL-CIO's annual COPE convention in Andover, MA voted on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 to endorse HR676. John Horgan, IBEW Local 2222 steward at Verizon, had made a presentation on HR 676 to the state COPE Committee which voted to endorse HR 676. The COPE Committee's endorsement was approved by the State Federation's Executive Board and passed unanimously by the convention upon a motion by Robert Haynes, State Federation President. Horgan had earlier been responsible for several endorsements of HR 676 bya number of Massachusetts Central Labor Councils.
9/10/08 -
EIU and CWA Locals endorse HR 676 A statewide SEIU local in Maine and a CWA local union in California have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In Augusta, Maine, Local 1989 SEIU/ Maine State Employees Association (MSEA), a 10,000 member statewide organization, endorsed HR 676. The endorsement was reported to the Southern Maine Labor Council in Portland by Local 1989 delegates to the Council. In Sacramento, California, CWA Local 9421 also endorsed HR 676, reports President Dee Garcia. The local's endorsement of HR 676 came after receiving a letter signed by twenty-two California unionists. The letter was sent to all local unions in the state.
9/03.08 -
Latino Labor Group Endorsed HR 676 Orlando, Florida. The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), at its 17th National membership Convention Aug. 4-8, endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Founded in 1973, LCLAA is the main national Latino organization representing the interests of over 1.7 million Latino trade unionists. LCLAA is a constituency group representing Latino workers in both the AFL-CIO and Change to Win labor federations. Its headquarters are in the AFL-CIO building in Washington, DC. The LCLAA resolution for HR 676 notes that premiums for employer sponsored health insurance have been rising five times faster that workers' salaries, and that of the 47 million Americans without health insurance 15 million are Hispanic and 9 million are children. The resolution endorsing HR 676 was presented by Sonia Ivany, President of the New York LCLAA chapter. Dr. Jaime Torres a New York physician and Chair of Latinos for National Health Insurance said after learning that LCLAA had endorsed HR 676: "We congratulate the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement for unanimously passing a resolution endorsing HR 676 at their national convention in Orlando. We want to honor Sonia Ivany, President of the New York LCLAA chapter, for her passionate work on behalf of equitable healthcare for all, and for spearheading this resolution at the convention."
8/27/08 -
Labor Councils in New York and California Endorse HR 676 Labor Councils in Bakersfield, California, and Schenectady, New York are the latest central labor bodies to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). One hundred and fourteen labor councils and Area Labor Federations have now endorsed HR 676. The Schenectady Central Labor Council endorsed HR 676 at its August 11th meeting. Council President Frank Natalie said after the vote: "It is the position of the council that in the richest country in the world, every person is entitled to affordable and adequate healthcare coverage regardless of socioeconomic status. Those without adequate health insurance coverage often forgo preventive care and treatments at times making this a life or death decision, often these victims are children. This is unacceptable." In Bakersfield, CA, the Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties Central Labor Council also endorsed HR 676 at its August meeting. The resolution, endorsing HR 676 and the state's single payer bill, SB 840, states: "Previous, piecemeal approaches to this crisis have not only failed to establish universal, comprehensive, affordable health care for Californians, but have even further complicated an already fragmented, profoundly inequitable system."
08/21/08 -
New York State AFL-CIO Endorses HR 676
New York City, NY. On August 18th, the 31st Constitutional Convention of
the New York State AFL-CIO unanimously endorsed HR 676 and called upon the
national AFL-CIO to support the single payer legislation introduced by
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The 2.5 million member NY State AFL-CIO
is the 37th state federation to endorse HR 676.
Resolution 2, "Single Payer Healthcare--Expanded and Improved Medicare For
All (HR 676)," came to the floor of the convention with the recommendation
of the state federation's Executive Board. The Board combined four pro
HR 676 resolutions that had been submitted by IATSE Local One; Capital
District Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; United University
Professions/AFT; and AFSCME Local 154/DC 37.
Delegates from the Capital District Area Labor Federation distributed to
all convention delegates a four page brochure supporting their resolution.
The brochure was prepared by Troy Area Labor Council President Mike
Keenan. It quotes the March, 2007, national AFL-CIO Executive Council
statement citing Medicare as "One concrete plan that meets the test of
comprehensive, universal health coverage. The brochure also includes a
list of "Ten Problems with the Private Health Insurance System."
Robert Score, Recording-Corresponding Secretary of IATSE Local One, who
was instrumental in organizing for the passage of Resolution 2, said in an
August 19 letter to his membership: "We now look forward to the
endorsement from the NYC Central Labor Council and the New York City
Council." Score has been in touch with City Council President Christine
Quinn.
In July Score worked with IATSE's International President who wrote to
Denis Hughes, President of the NYS AFL-CIO, urging support for "any
Resolution before them to endorse HR 676." The letter states: "Only a
streamlined efficient and universally accessible system that puts the
basic needs and health of American families before the interests of
corporations will suffice. The fundamental liberties and protections that
we as Americans are entitled to, are simply unrealized in the absence of
real universal healthcare."
Copies of the NYS AFL-CIO Resolution and the Capital District ALF brochure
are available at:
http://www.pefencon.info/HR676/NYS_AFL-CIO_Endorses_HR676.htm
08/17/08 -
AFSCME Convention Endorses HR 676 San Francisco, California. On July 31st at its 38th International Convention, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) endorsed HR 676, single payer legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Resolution 19, adopted after a vigorous debate, states: RESOLVED: That AFSCME initiate a concerted campaign beginning with endorsing existing and future legislation that calls for universal, affordable, quality health care such as Congressman John Conyers' bill, H.R. 676, Expanded and Improved Medicare for All and Congressman Pete Stark's bill, H.R. 1841, Americare Healthcare Act, and state legislation such as the Healthy Wisconsin initiative. Another part of the resolution states: "By all indications from the primary elections, the battle lines will be drawn between a not-for-profit, publicly-financed system covering all individuals and a private, for-profit health care reform that places emphasis on making individuals pay for their own insurance and having public tax dollars go towards subsidizing private health insurance companies." The resolution continues: "Nearly every poll shows that Americans support a government funded and provided universal health care system and would be willing to pay for it in higher taxes if necessary." AFSCME is the 18th international union to endorse HR 676. Other international unions that have endorsed HR 676 are UAW, NEA, ILWU, NALC, IAM, Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA), Musicians (AFM), UE, CNA/NNOC, SMWIA, IFPTE , OPEIU, UTU, SEIU, USW, California School Employees Association (CSEA), & AFT.
08/14/08 -
York and Syracuse Labor Councils Endorse HR 676 Two central labor councils, in New York and Pennsylvania, have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In York, Pennsylvania, the York-Adams County Central Labor Council has endorsed HR 676, reports Council President Clark Ruppert of IAMAW #1403. Ruppert said: "Delegates have approved the resolution supporting a single payer health care plan for all Americans because they have all seen that the current health care coverage is not affordable and is not working for the American workers, and it is not working for our employers either. It is one more unfair burden on the worker and the employers who are competing with foreign business." In Syracuse, New York, Dr. Dennis Nave reports that the Greater Syracuse Labor Council has also endorsed the Conyers legislation. Nave, a member of the Teamsters union, is the only medical doctor to lead a central labor body. Dr. Nave said the Council's resolution emphasized "affordable, accessible healthcare as a right and not a privilege. Our nation's greatest asset is our working families." The Greater Syracuse Labor Council represents 40,000 working families in Central New York.
08/12/08 -
lumbers and Teamster Locals Endorse HR 676 Teamster Local 612 in West Caldwell, New Jersey, and Plumbers and Steamfitters (UA) Local 47 in Monaca, Pennsylvania, have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Local 612 is a member of the Graphic Communication Conference of the IBT. Frank Bovalino, Chair of the Local 47 Political Action Committee, said: "The time has come for us as unions to forge the way to put an end to the Health Care Industry holding us hostage financially for health care. Local Union 47 not only endorses HR 676, they are proactive in informing our Legislators we support this and expect them to cosponsor this legislation."
08/08/08 -
Teachers, Writers, and Staff Association Unions Endorse HR 676 In East Schodack, New York, the Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene Counties Board of Co-operative Educational Services Teachers' Association, an affiliate of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT, AFT/NEA), has endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Local President Joe Mix said, "We truly believe HR 676 is the most important healthcare legislation for working citizens in the United States." In Boston, Massachusetts, National Writers Union, UAW Local 1981, has also endorsed HR 676. The union released a statement on their HR 676 endorsement: The healthcare crisis has affected the "pursuit of happiness," an American tradition since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and thus, in this way, has taken away even more freedom than the pursuit of profits has granted. This is why the National Writers Union, with over 1,500 members, endorses HR 676 as the way to provide healthcare to all, not profits to few. In Albany, New York, the Field Staff Association (FSA), a union of professional advocates who work for the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000), also endorsed HR 676.
07/31/08 -
Colorado State Building & Construction Trades Council Endorses HR 676 Lakewood, Colorado. The Colorado State Building & Construction Trades Council is the fifth state council to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Neal Hall, Business Manager for the Council, said after the vote: "My Council had a unanimous vote on endorsement of HR 676 due to the fact that cost of health care through collective bargaining has increased approximately 17 to 25 per cent each year over the last ten years in Colorado. It would be nice to see negotiated wage increases going to wages instead of health care and thereby benefit the membership as was intended." Statewide building and construction trades councils that have endorsed HR 676 are Maine, Texas, Washington, New Hampshire, and Colorado. Eight other city or county building trades councils have also endorsed HR 676.
07/27/08
Nebraska AFL-CIO Endorses HR 676 Omaha, Nebraska. The Executive Board of the Nebraska State AFL-CIO has voted to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The July 22nd vote makes the Nebraska state federation the 36th state AFL-CIO to endorse the Conyers legislation. Ken Mass, President of the Nebraska AFL-CIO, said after the vote: "Everybody understands what's happening in healthcare with ever increasing costs, yet it is important to maintain quality of care. That's why we voted to endorse HR 676."
07/23/08 -
Steelworkers' Convention Continues Support for HR 676 Las Vegas, Nevada. After a lively floor debate, the 3,200 delegates to the United Steelworkers (USW) Convention voted in favor of a resolution which top union officials said supported single payer healthcare and continued the USW's strong support for HR 676, legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) which would implement a single payer healthcare system The resolution that the delegates debated called for a "publicly funded" universal health care plan for all Americans and for healthcare as "a human right." One delegate said the union might need to "take the fight" to the streets. We must declare war on the insurance companies. This is a fight we have to win.
07/21/08 -
New Jersey AFL-CIO and UMWA's Cecil Roberts Endorse Single Payer United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts was the keynote speaker at the most recent State Convention of the Kentucky AFL-CIO. You can hear Roberts' remarks in support of single payer healthcare at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYvwU0rOhFc (video courtesy of Bill Londrigan, President, Kentucky AFL-CIO). Meeting in June in Atlantic City, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Convention passed a resolution, submitted by the NJ State AFL-CIO Retirees Committee, which notes the features of Congressman John Conyers' single payer health care bill, HR 676. The adopted resolution, entitled Universal, Single Payer Health Care Coverage, resolves: "that the New Jersey State AFL-CIO supports Single Payer Healthcare Coverage and will lobby all labor endorsed candidates for national office to work for this important issue." A copy of the complete resolution is available from Paula Friedman, Chair of the Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council AFL-CIO Retirees Committee pafr20@verizon.net.
07/16/08 -
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Convention Endorses HR 676 Chicago, Illinois. The more than 3,000 delegates to the 80th Convention of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) voted to "support the passage of HR 676," single payer health care legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The AFT is the 15th international union to endorse HR 676. Five AFT affiliates submitted resolutions calling for support for HR 676. In addition, one local union submitted a resolution urging endorsement of a single payer healthcare system. Affiliates that submitted resolutions for HR 676 included the Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1; United University Professions, Local 2190; the California Federation of Teachers; the New Jersey State Federation of Teachers; and the AFT Seattle Community Colleges, Local 1789. The West Haven Federation of Teachers, Local 1547, called for support for single payer. Martha Livingston, a Chapter Vice President and a Convention Delegate from the 32,000 member UUP, Local 2190, said after the vote: "I'm thrilled that the leadership of my union, with 1.4 million members, was in complete agreement with the membership in both the Political Action Committee and on the floor of the convention where there was unanimous support for HR 676."
07/10/08 - Marine Firemen, Carpenters and Theatrical Locals Endorse HR 676
In San Francisco, Local 22 of the Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners
(BCJ) endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).
In San Diego, Local 297 of International Alliance of Theatre and Stage
Employees (IATSE) also endorsed the Conyers legislation.
The Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers
Association (Marine Firemen's Union), with headquarters in San Francisco,
endorsed HR 676. The union, established in 1883, is a fully autonomous
division of the Seafarers International Union (SIU). Its members work as
engineers aboard containerships, bulk carriers, research and military
contract vessels.
Anthony Poplawski, union president, said: "In 1981, President
Reagan ended U.S. Public Health Service benefits to merchant seamen and
closed the marine hospitals that were established nearly 200 years earlier
to provide for the nation's commercial mariners. Since then, maritime
labor has struggled to negotiate and maintain replacement health care
benefits and contain health care costs while insurance providers reap
substantial profits. The time has come for a single-payer system for all
citizens."
06/30/08 - Three Massachusetts NEA Affiliates Endorse HR 676
Three affiliates of the National Education Association (NEA) in
Massachusetts have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation
introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).
In Brookline, Massachusetts, the Brookline Educators Union, affiliated
with the Massachusetts Teachers Association (NEA), has endorsed HR 676,
reports Barry David, a high school Spanish teacher.
David, a supporter of HR 676, appeared before the union�s Representative
Council which then voted to endorse HR 676 and bring the resolution before
the MTA statewide meeting where it was referred to the MTA Legislative
Committee. David is one of six delegates from his local to the NEA
Representative Assembly which meets in July.
Representing teachers and support personnel employed by the Brookline
School District, the Brookline Educators Union has nearly 1,000 members
and is one of the larger NEA affiliates in Massachusetts.
In Boston and Amherst, the Joint Executive Council of the Professional
Staff Union (PSU) has also unanimously endorsed HR 676. The Professional
Staff Union comprises Local 751 and Local 754 of the Massachusetts
Teachers Association (NEA). The Two locals represent over 1,600
professional and supervisory workers at the Amherst and Boston campuses of
the University of Massachusetts.
06/24/08 - SEIU Convention Endorses HR 676
San Juan, Puerto Rico. The recent SEIU convention went on record in
support of HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The SEIU is the thirteenth international
union to endorse HR 676.
Local 1199 Healthcare Workers East and SEIU Local 1021, in California, had
each submitted a resolution to the convention calling for support for HR
676. Convention Resolution 105B, which combined all resolutions on
healthcare, was adopted by the convention.
SEIU locals that have previously endorsed HR 676 include United Healthcare
Workers West, Chicago Local 73, Pennsylvania Local 668, Local
1199Healthcare Workers East, 32 BJ SEIU in Baltimore, the New York State
Public Employees Federation (affiliated both with AFT and SEIU),
Pittsburgh Local 3, and District 1199P in Pennsylvania.
Other international unions that have endorsed HR 676 are UAW, NEA, ILWU,
NALC, IAM, Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA), Musicians (AFM), UE, CNA/NNOC,
SMWIA, IFPTE & OPEIU.
06/18/08 - TWO MORE CENTRAL LABOR COUNCILS ENDORSE HR 676 Central Labor Councils in Michigan and Kentucky have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). A total of 110 central labor councils have now endorsed HR 676. The two most recent endorsements come from the Kent-Ionia Central Labor Council in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the Ashland Area Labor Council in Ashland, Kentucky.
06/11/08 -
Michigan State AFL-CIO Endorses HR 676 Lansing, Michigan. The Michigan State AFL-CIO is the 34th state federation to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation. "H. R. 676 - The United States National Health Insurance Act " was introduced in the U.S. House in 2007 by Representative John Conyers. The Michigan AFL-CIO supports this bill because it�s a single payer plan that removes the profit from the system and forces savings in administration. It may be the only workable solution.� (http://www.miaflcio.org/Healthcare/index.php) Representing 800,000 union members, the Michigan AFL-CIO is one of the largest state federations in the country.
06/04/08 -
USW and IBEW Locals Endorse HR 676 Three more industrial local unions have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation, introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In Canton, New York, Steelworker (USW) Local Union 1026 has endorsed the Conyers legislation, reports Recording Secretary Gary Chapman. In Findlay, Ohio, USW Local 207 L has also endorsed HR 676. Kevin Welch, the local's Recording Secretary, wrote after the unanimous endorsement: I encourage the citizens of the county, state and nation to become involved in this fight to fix our healthcare industry before it collapses. USW Local 207 L and the more than 1,000 families we represent add our names to the growing list of endorsers of HR 676. In Glenmont, New York, IBEW Local 770, which represents electricians working for the CSX railroad and Amtrak in the Capital District of New York and D & H electricians in Binghamton and Saratoga, also endorsed. Local 770 President Al Swanson said: "Our members are tired of having our contracts being held hostage to the ever increasing costs of private health insurance. The HR 676 single payer proposal will put an end to this situation."
06/01/08 -
Seattle and Guam AFT Affiliates Endorse HR 676 Local union affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers in Seattle and Guam have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). AFT Local 1789, which represents faculty members at Seattle Community Colleges, endorsed HR 676, reports Local President, Lynne Dodson. On the Pacific Island of Guam, Matt Rector, President of AFT Local 1581, reports that his local, which is the largest and fastest growing union on Guam, has also endorsed HR 676. Rector wrote of his local's endorsement: If anyone needs an incentive to support universal healthcare for every American they just need to look at the health insurance that public employees on Guam get because it is the shape of things to come for the rest of the nation. All plans have a $1500 per person deductible, with an 80-20 plan, with caps ($200 for a physical) that kick in after the deductible. Employees cannot use the plan on island for non-emergent care and must fly to the Philippines (air fare isn't included in the plan). This leaves the majority of our people without access to preventative healthcare and critical healthcare can only be afforded after lots of fundraisers, begging on the street and/or selling off assets. Every man, women and child on our island and in our nation deserves better. Quality healthcare should depend on the quality of patients' need, not the quantity of their bank account.
05/29/08 -
Pipefitters, Postal, Letter Carriers and Longshore Locals Endorse HR 676 Four more local unions have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). In Augusta, Maine, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 716 (UA) unanimously endorsed HR 676, reports Business Manager John Napolitano. In Oakland, California, ILWU Local 6 has also endorsed the Conyers legislation, reports Fred Pecker, Local 6 Secretary-Treasurer. Pecker is also a member of the ILWU�s International Executive Board. In Delevan, New York, American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Western New York Area Local 183 endorsed HR 676, reports President Timothy Northem. In Frewsburg, New York, Local 165 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) also endorsed HR 676, according to Mark Carlson, Treasurer.
05/26/08 -
California Labor Council Endorses HR 676 Eureka, California. The Humboldt-Del Norte Counties AFL-CIO Central Labor Council is the 108th central labor council to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The endorsement resolution was submitted by Kathryn Donahue, a Registered Nurse and representative of the California Nurses Association (CNA/NNOC). The council's endorsement was the subject of an op-ed column authored by Sid Berg and published in the Eureka Reporter. Berg is President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Berg's column quotes Donahue saying the solution is "to initiate a patient based system with public accountability". The United States spends approximately twice as much of our gross domestic product as other developed nations on health care. We remain the only industrialized country without a national health plan. "As a working individual, contributing to the general welfare of our community, I encourage the citizens of this county, state and nation to become involved in this fight to fix our healthcare industry before it collapses. The Central Labor Council of Humboldt & Del Norte Counties (AFL-CIO) has added its name to the growing list of endorsers of HR 676," Donahue concluded.
05/21/08 -
IBT, APWU Locals and Building Trades Council Endorse HR 676
Teamster and Postal worker local unions and another building trades
council have all endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation
introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).
In New York City, Teamster Local 805 (IBT) has endorsed HR 676, reports
Local President Sandy Pope.
In Medford, Oregon, the Southern Oregon Area Local of the American Postal
Workers Union (APWU) has also endorsed the Conyers legislation.
In San Diego, California, the San Diego Building and Construction Trades
Council unanimously endorsed HR 676, reports Council President Tom Lemmon.
