SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2007

32BJ ENDORSES FATTAH FOR MAYOR

-4,000 Union Members Live in Philadelphia-

Philadelphia, PA – 32BJ members stood beside U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) today to announce their endorsement of his candidacy for Mayor. The endorsement decision means hundreds of members will likely be mobilized to help get thousands of votes in support of Fattah.

“Chaka Fattah has a long standing commitment to working families in Philadelphia and an outstanding labor voting record in Congress,” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ’s District Chairman. “He has stood by us in our fight to raise standards for security officers and we stand by his vision for Philadelphia.” 

Fattah has played a key role in helping private security officers in City buildings gain union representation.

“ 32BJ helped my co-workers and I join the union and negotiate our first contract, which boosts wages by almost 40% and provides employer-paid health care and retirement benefits,” said Anna Rivera, a ScotlandYard security officer at the Municipal Services Building. “I thank Congressman Fattah for his support during our organizing campaign.”

“Fair wages and affordable health care should be a reality for cleaners, security officers and all hard-working people in this great city,” said Rep. Fattah. “As your next Mayor, I pledge to bring real opportunity to all Philadelphians.”

“Too many working people in Philadelphia are finding it tougher and tougher to get by with the rising costs of housing and healthcare,” said Michelle Shank, a 32BJ cleaner at One Parkway Building. “I stand behind Congressman Fattah because he has supported our union and helped to improve opportunities for Philadelphia‘s working families.”    

Campaign support from 32BJ members was instrumental in the electoral victories for Governor Rendell, U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak. With more than 85,000 members in six states, including more than 5,000 in the Philadelphia area, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country.

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