1199 is the most influential and politically powerful organization of working people in the nation, and this year we will demonstrate our power and exercise our vote like never before.
By Yvonne Armstrong, President, 1199SEIU
Sixty-three years ago, 1199 members participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Our union played an integral role in organizing that historic event, providing logistical and financial support and even chartering a special train to bring healthcare workers to the nation’s capital.
The impact of that massive mobilization, and the decades of struggle that preceded it, led to landmark civil rights victories in the years that followed, including passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Social Security Amendments of 1965, which established Medicaid and Medicare. The far-reaching effects of these transformative laws advanced racial equity, expanded access to healthcare, and strengthened democracy. This is part of our legacy as 1199ers.
Today, we find ourselves at another pivotal historical moment. Those in power in Washington, D.C., are seeking to erase the progress we have made over the decades. They want to bring us back to a time when voting was a privilege based on your skin color, your gender, or your economic status, rather than a fundamental right. They are seeking to dismantle the social safety net that millions of Americans depend upon. And they are hoping to cling to power by turning working people against each other, blaming immigrants and other vulnerable groups for our nation's problems.
But we see past these efforts to divide and distract us, and we continue to stand in solidarity with one another.
We Experience the Consequences of Elections Every Day
Every day, we experience the consequences of elections. The Republicans' “Big Ugly Bill”, which slashed more than $1 trillion in Medicaid funding to finance tax cuts for billionaires, has already resulted in millions of Americans losing health coverage. The Trump-appointed members of the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, allowing states to impose congressional maps that dilute the voting power of minority communities. And the federal government's decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Haiti and other countries has forced hundreds of thousands of people out of work, including many healthcare workers.
But we refuse to go backward. We are a union forged in struggle, and we know how to organize. We will not allow our hard-won gains to be dismantled by extremist politicians.
1199 is the most influential and politically powerful organization of working people in the nation, and this year we will demonstrate our power and exercise our vote like never before. As 1199 members, you are the heroes this moment calls for. You are the proud successors of generations of members who were called upon to lead in challenging times. And just as we did in decades past, we will do so once again.
Our Voices Matter
Healthcare workers have consistently been cited among the most trusted voices in the nation. When we speak, people listen.
So between now and Election Day, November 3, let's talk to our co-workers, our friends, and our neighbors about what is at stake. Let's make our plans to vote and bring others along with us. Let's volunteer to knock on doors and make phone calls to spread the word.
As a huge, multi-state union, there are many local, state, and federal races within our footprint that may be won or lost by the narrowest of margins. Truly, 1199 can be the deciding factor in shaping the outcome of these races and, with them, the balance of power in Washington. Nothing less than the future of our democracy is at stake.
Change Is Within Our Grasp
As always, 1199votes.org is a one-stop resource for members to find information about endorsed candidates, check voter registration status, and discover volunteer opportunities in their communities.
I am so excited to join 1199 members across our union as we organize, mobilize, and celebrate our vote this election season.
Our vote is our power. Let's use it to protect our communities, defend our democracy, and build a thriving future for every 1199 family.
“1199 is the most influential and politically powerful organization of working people in the nation, and this year we will demonstrate our power and exercise our vote like never before.”
— Yvonne Armstrong, President, 1199SEIU
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Change is within our grasp.
