BOSTON ─ Tuesday, November 5 was a day of victory for 1199SEIU members in Boston as we celebrated electing Marty Walsh as the next mayor of Boston. Walsh succeeds current Boston Mayor Tom Menino, who was a major advocate for healthcare workers, workers’ rights, and many social justice issues.



As a state legislator, Walsh has been a key supporter of funding and jobs at the hospitals, nursing homes, and homecare programs where 1199SEIU members work.



Walsh won the 1199SEIU endorsement in early October. Union members decided to endorse Walsh because of his solid track record of prioritizing working families while advocating for safer streets, improving our educational system, and promoting career pathways for women and people of color.



“I always had a belief he could do it because he’s the best man for the job. We achieved this victory by faith,” said Sadika 2013-10-03_WalshEndorsement-(105).gifPendarvis, a personal care attendant who spent the last month working as a member political organizer (MPO) and speaking with voters about the need to elect Marty Walsh.

There were more than a dozen MPOs who took time away from work to knock on doors and speak with voters about the importance of electing Walsh as the next mayor of Boston. There were also many 1199SEIU members who volunteered to make phone calls, knock on doors, and support Walsh’s candidacy.



Union members focused on low-income neighborhoods to mobilize voters turnout at the polls. On Election Day, there was a high level of excitement as union members hustled and bustled to make sure that every resident from Roxbury to Dorchester to Mattapan was able to vote.



“We took an 85-year-old woman to the polls just three minutes before the polls closed,” said Victoria Entzminger of her enthusiasm in getting out the vote and getting residents out to the polls.



1199SEIU members also supported several candidates in the city council race in Boston. Ayanna Pressley and Michelle Wu won by large margins and incumbents Michael Flaherty and Steve Murphy were also elected at-large. All of these candidates were on the 1199SEIU slate.



In Springfield, Bud Williams, Zaida Luna, and Melvin Edwards were reelected to the city council and Orlando Ramos was newly elected to a seat on the council. 1199SEIU members in Springfield endorsed all four candidates