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SEIU Minnesota State Council Endorses Al Franken for U.S. Senate

SEIU Members Ready to Mobilize their Co-Workers and Communities to Elect Al Franken

 

AlSt. Paul, MN —Members and leaders of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Minnesota State Council today announced the endorsement of DFL candidate Al Franken for U.S. Senate in 2008. SEIU is the largest, fastest-growing union in the country with 1.9 million members nationwide and more than 28,000 members in Minnesota.

The announcement comes after candidates for U.S. Senate walked a day in the shoes of an SEIU member to get firsthand experience in the day in the life of a working Minnesotan. In addition, candidates completed a questionnaire on issues important to members and their families; participated in picket lines and organizing drives; appeared at a “meet and greet” with members; and met with members of the State Council Executive Board.

“Al worked alongside me for a day — he experienced first hand what it was like to provide care in a nursing home,” said Ulysses Bridges, a member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota at Robbinsdale Rehabilitation and Care Center. “He can come back and walk in my shoes anytime, but first I want him to go to Washington D.C. and work hard for all of us — it’s time for a Senator who takes us to heart.”

“SEIU will play an important role in making sure Al Franken is elected in November,” said Julie Schnell, President of the SEIU Minnesota State Council and SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. “Our members are active, involved and determined to make a difference.”

SEIU in Minnesota includes more than 14,000 hospital, clinic and nursing home workers (SEIU Healthcare Minnesota), over 8,000 public service school employees who work as bus drivers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, buildings and grounds employees, school food service workers and child care workers (Local 284 and Local 63), and almost 6,000 property service workers (Local 26). SEIU is united with more than 28,000 members statewide and is a powerful voice for Minnesota’s working families.