Pittsburgh—Today, the three major local unions of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – SEIU Local 32BJ, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and SEIU Local 668 — representing over 58,000 property service, healthcare, and public service workers in Pennsylvania announced their endorsement of Theresa Kail-Smith, Natalia Rudiak, Daniel Lavelle and Dan Gilman for Pittsburgh City Council.
“Pittsburgh needs real champions of working families that will stand up to special interests and fight for workers’ rights,” said Gabe Morgan, Vice President of 32BJ SEIU and Pennsylvania State Director. “Natalia Rudiak has a track record of supporting better wages and working conditions for Pittsburgh’s working families. Our members are proud to support her.”
“Dan Gilman has spent the last eight years working side-by-side with labor and community groups that are fighting for better living and working conditions in the 8th district. There is no doubt that he would apply the same tireless dedication to our City Council,” added Morgan.
“It’s time to make sure that UPMC provides good middle class jobs for our community, ensures equal access to all patients, and pays its fair share to support public services,” said Neal Bisno, President of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and International Vice President of SEIU. “We are proud to endorse strong, effective community advocates like Councilman Daniel Lavelle, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with UPMC workers and city residents to hold this $10 billion global corporation accountable to Pittsburgh’s working families.”
“SEIU 668 is proud to endorse city council candidates dedicated to fair wages and benefits for all, we need elected officials who will work to improve the lives of working families,” said Kathy Jellison, President of SEIU 668. “Theresa Kail-Smith has a proven record of success with her work within the community and we look forward to improving our communities with her help.”
With 125,000 members in seven states and Washington, D.C., including 15,000 in Pennsylvania, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania is the state’s largest and fastest growing union of nurses and health care workers, representing 23,000 caregivers in hospitals, nursing homes, home and community based services, and public institutions across the Commonwealth.
SEIU Local 668 represents 20,000 public sector workers in state, county and local government, as well as in the private sector. Our members deliver human services to the most vulnerable populations in the state, including children, the elderly and people with mental illness and developmentally disabilities.
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