First labor endorsement of mayoral race goes to Rawlings-Blake; issued by caregivers with strong record of early backing, electing progressive candidates

BALTIMORE - The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU formally announced their endorsement Thursday of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in the election for Baltimore City mayor.

"Our members have voted to endorse Stephanie Rawlings-Blake because no one has worked harder to build a healthy Baltimore," said John Reid, executive vice president of 1199SEIU, Baltimore’s healthcare union. "As a city council member, as council president and now as mayor, she’s fought tirelessly for quality healthcare - and for quality healthcare jobs. By helping caregivers to win a voice for our patients and a better life for our families, she’s helping to improve the quality of life for everyone in Baltimore."

The early backing of the healthcare workers is one of the most important endorsements in Baltimore and Maryland elections. It’s a people-powered endorsement, with substantial numbers of SEIU members going door-to-door for candidates who share their values. It is widely considered the most powerful grassroots election operation in Maryland. ]]>http://www.theheartofbaltimore.org/news-press/rss-comments-entry-11528316.xmlThe Heart Of BaltimoreMon, 28 Mar 2011 17:28:15 +0000http://www.theheartofbaltimore.org/news-press/2011/3/28/millions-in-unpaid-taxes-sought-at-maryland-chamber-of-comme.html428415:6623479:10973757Labor-community coalition will press Thursday for hundreds of millions in taxes owed by Maryland corporations and millionaires

Coalition’s taxpayer advocates delivering “Past Due” notices at Chamber, saying it’s time to pass Millionaire’s Tax and Combined Reporting

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Dozens of taxpayer advocates will descend on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Thursday to expose a brazen tax evasion scheme at the state’s leading business lobby. The Chamber is trying to block legislation that would ensure that wealthy residents and corporations pay their fair share in taxes.

Dr. Helena Hicks, protestor at 1955 sit-in to desegregate Read’s lunch counter, will speak at rally, announce next steps in campaign

BALTIMORE — Union and community activists will rally Thursday to save the historic Read’s Drug Store building in downtown Baltimore. The rally will feature remarks from Dr. Helena Hicks, one of the eight protestors at the 1955 sit-in to desegregate the whites-only lunch counter at Read’s.

SEIU's President Mary Kay Henry canvasses in Maryland with Sinai Hospital Worker and Member Political Organizer Byron Beckford

BALTIMORE, MD – Local caregivers worked closely with their union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, to play a major role in yesterday’s re-election of Governor Martin O’Malley. The massive effort was indicative of how the union will shape future political races as one of the foremost voices for working families and quality healthcare in the region.

Lenae Jones, a patient support associate at Johns Hopkins Hospital, is exemplary of the political commitment and energy of 1199SEIU members. Ms. Jones rose at 4:30 a.m. on Monday to meet Governor O’Malley for shift change at her hospital.  She introduced hundreds of her co-workers to the Governor and together they reminded them to vote on Election Day.  Jones is one of twenty-five Member Political Organizers (MPOs) who took a leave of absence from their jobs to work full-time for 1199SEIU during campaign season. MPOs educate union members and the public about issues and candidates, and mobilize them to get involved and vote.

For the first time in history, 32 states, including Maryland, will allow early voting for a general election. Among those organizing to get themselves and their co-workers to the polls early are  caregivers at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Baltimore’s fastest-growing healthcare union, 1199SEIU, will be shuttling hospital employees from Hopkins to a nearby early polling location. Caregivers will board shuttles during their lunch breaks and shift changes at the historic front entrance of Hopkins' main medical campus, on Broadway.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans from every walk of life packed onto the National Mall in Washington D.C. on Saturday, October 2 for the One Nation Working Together rally, calling for jobs, justice and education for all. Among those attending the march were about 100 concerned healthcare workers boarding buses with 1199SEIU in Baltimore.

O’Malley is in a close race with former Republican governor Robert Erlich, and every single vote is important, said Obama. “They are counting on your silence…they are counting on your apathy, especially the young people here. It is vital that all Maryland and D.C. healthcare workers vote this November, and volunteer with 1199 leading up to the election.”

Pointing to O’Malley & Brown’s efforts to create jobs and expand access to quality care, the 350,000 member organization vows to carry out a far-reaching ground and media campaign

BALTIMORE, MD – Today Governor Martin O’Malley joined members of the country’s largest local healthcare union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center in Baltimore as they announced their endorsement.  In endorsing the O’Malley-Brown ticket, union leaders and members spoke about their commitment to creating middle class jobs, advocating for free and fair union elections and ensuring affordable, quality healthcare care for Maryland.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the largest healthcare union in the nation,” said Governor O’Malley.  “I will continue to stand with 1199 members and all working people to create good jobs, expand access to quality, affordable healthcare and ensure workers can win a voice through free and fair union elections.”

“I campaigned for Martin O’Malley in 2006 because I believed that he was the right person to represent working families,” said Lorita Waltz, a registered nurse at Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly.  “He proved our faith in him by saving jobs and quality care at my hospital, by making sure more Marylanders have affordable health insurance and by being an advocate for the rights of working people.  And now I’m thrilled to be standing with Governor O’Malley once again.”

“Governor O’Malley has been the voice for working families in Annapolis and throughout the state.  He’s working to create jobs, protect the middle class, defend healthcare funding and expand access to quality, affordable care,” said John Reid, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU.  “Governor O’Malley has accomplished a great deal, and he needs another four years to continue his work on behalf of Maryland’s working families.”

The efforts of 1199SEIU members were crucial to O’Malley’s victory in 2006.  In recent years, endorsement from 1199SEIU has become highly sought after.  The union was critical in Congresswoman Donna Edwards’ stunning election over incumbent Albert Wynn in 2008 and has played a major role in other federal, state and local races.  1199SEIU is currently putting scores of members on the street and carrying out a robust direct mail and paid media campaign for key races in Prince George’s County, including County Executive and several Maryland State Senate seats.

Issues of importance for health care workers include the union’s “Heart of Baltimore” campaign, an effort to improve jobs and care through ensuring free and fair union elections; access to quality, affordable health care; expanding coverage for uninsured Marylanders; increasing Medicaid reimbursements; remediating Medicaid fraud; and keeping the Prince George’s hospitals open and expanding.