Union Janitors and Security Officers Spent a Month Turning out Votes/Knocked on Thousands of Doors

Leesburg, Va. – 32BJ SEIU, which represents 6,000 immigrant office cleaners and airport service workers in Northern Virginia are part of a major push to help Democrats flip Virginia, after a month-long GOTV effort by team of over a dozen member volunteers who knocked on doors for John Bell (SD-13), Dan Helmer (HD-40), Elizabeth Guzman (HD-31), Hala Ayala (HD-51), Kathleen Murphy (HD-34) and Lee Carter (HD-50). A dozen 32BJ SEIU janitors and security officers, spent all-day, nearly every day knocking on hundreds of doors per week leading up to Election Day, engaging approximately 12,000 voters.

Many of these men and women helped play a role in turning Virginia from red to blue during previous election cycles on behalf of statewide, federal and presidential candidates. As low-wage workers and immigrants, 32BJ members know first-hand how much of an impact Democratic control will have on their communities, from a $15 minimum wage to vital immigrant rights and protections.

32BJ members shared common ground with the voters they encountered who were inspired by candidates’ support for affordable health care. “I know too many people without healthcare and who can’t afford medication, but no one should be denied health care,” said Sade Pryce, a 32BJ member who works as security officer. “We’re making a difference by talking to people getting them out, especially those who don’t know when Election Day is or what candidates stand for.”

“Canvassing is a very important way to engage with people because they want someone to hear their views on what’s going on in the world,” said Darius Collins, a 32BJ member who works as a security officer. “When black and Latino communities see likeminded people running for office and knocking on doors, they will be inspired and say ‘he can do it, I can do it too,’ and minorities will make a difference on Election Day.”

Endorsed winners include:

With more than 175,000 members in 11 states, including 20,000 in the D.C. area and Baltimore, MD, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.

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