Deborah Chernoff (1199): 860-387-5744
Matt Painter (32BJ): 212-388-3805
Lynsey Kryzwick (32BJ): 212-388-3696
Hartford, CT—SEIU Healthcare District 1199 and SEIU 32BJ have endorsed Dan Malloy for Connecticut’s next Governor. The unions’ executive boards each voted unanimously to back Malloy because of his 14-year track record of supporting the state’s working families.
“Dan Malloy has a proven track record of putting people first,” says Carmen Boudier, President of SEIU Healthcare District 1199. “The next Governor will make major decisions affecting the quality of health care jobs and services for all of Connecticut. As Governor, Dan Malloy will help health care workers provide the best possible care for our patients and the best possible lives for our families.”
While mayor of Stamford, Malloy helped to negotiate fair treatment for health care workers during labor disputes and corporate takeovers at Stamford Hospital and the Tandet Center nursing home. The city-owned Smith House nursing home also maintained quality care and job standards for 14 years under Mayor Malloy.
“In tough economic times, we need a Governor that will stand up for Connecticut’s working families and create good, middle class jobs,” said Kurt Westby, Connecticut Director of SEIU32BJ. “Dan Malloy is the best candidate to do that because he has the experience and values our state needs.”
Westby continued, “Ten years ago, Mayor Malloy stood with janitors in Stamford to help raise their families out of poverty by forming a union, and we’ve seen that commitment to creating good jobs continue to this day. Last year, he fought to ensure that thousands of Connecticut’s children kept their health care coverage. This year, he has been on the forefront of fighting for paid sick leave standards.”
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that Dan Malloy is our next Governor,” added 1199’s Boudier.
Sara Pasterelli, a member of the union who sits on 32BJ’s Executive Board said the following about Malloy, “In his 14 years as Mayor, Dan Malloy did a lot for the people of Stamford, and as Governor, he’ll be able to do even more for the people of Connecticut. He has spoken out to protect the rights of all workers—including immigrant workers—and is making sure that working families will have the sick days we need.”
Stamford resident Calvin Chapman, a state caregiver for people with developmental disabilities and a 1199 Executive Board member, said, “I’ve lived in Stamford my whole life. Dan Malloy brought people together, turned this city around and made it a great place for working families. As Governor, Dan Malloy will do the same for our state.”
SEIU 1199 and 32BJ are known for their strength in mobilizing members and voters to support endorsed candidate. The unions played a key role in the competitive election of Congressman Jim Himes in 2008. During the 2008 elections, 1199 and 32BJ were also a key part of the larger SEIU program through which staff, volunteers and members door-knocked and called more than 1 million households in support of President Obama and other progressive candidates. In 2006, SEIU 1199 and 32BJ put John DeStefano over the top in the Democratic Primary election against the party-endorsed candidate, Dan Malloy.
SEIU Healthcare District 1199 is Connecticut’s largest labor union of health care workers, with over 20,000 professional and paraprofessional caregivers working in public and private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, non-profit agencies, residential facilities and other health care settings throughout Connecticut.
With 120,000 members on the East Coast—including 4,500 in Connecticut—SEIU 32BJ is the largest property service union in the country. The union represents commercial cleaners, security officers, property service workers and food service employees throughout the state.
updated 5/11/2010
