For Immediate Release
March 15, 2010
Pennsylvania SEIU Endorses Doug Pike
Becomes 18th Union Backing Pike, 4th Union to Endorse Pike in March
Ardmore, PA - This weekend, Doug Pike was endorsed by the Pennsylvania State Council of the Service Employees International Union in the race to represent the 6th Congressional District.
"We are excited to endorse Doug Pike as the best candidate to finally defeat Jim Gerlach," said Eileen Connelly, Executive Director of the State Council. "Doug is a strong, progressive voice for the working families of Pennsylvania with his focus on creating jobs and reforming our broken health care system. During his campaign, Doug has frequently stood side-by-side with our members and now we are proud to stand with him. When we endorse, it means something. We don't do paper endorsements."
"Last summer, I stood alongside SEIU members outside Jim Gerlach's office in Berks County," said Doug Pike. "Together, we called on Congressman Gerlach to support real health care reform to bring down costs, lower the deficit, and cover millions of uninsured Americans. Unfortunately, he still refuses to work constructively for health care reform. Gerlach even opposed the jobs bill in the middle of one of the worst economies our nation has ever seen. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with the working families of SEIU, fighting for what is right, and I am honored to have their support today."
The 1.8 million-member Service Employees International Union is the fastest-growing union in North America, and its membership is among the most diverse in the labor movement. SEIU's endorsement is one of the most sought-after endorsements for progressive candidates around the country.
There are now 18 unions that have endorsed and/or given financial support to Pike for Congress -- and 15 of them backed Pike after his Democratic opponent got into the race.
Labor Endorsements, as of March 15:
Service Employees International Union
Bricklayers Local 5
Elevator Constructors Local 5
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 126
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776
Ironworkers Local 420
Laborers Local 158
Machinists Local 1776
United Mine Workers of America (COMPAC)
Operating Engineers Local 542
American Postal Workers Union, Local 89
Sheet Metal Workers Local 19
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1345
James Weyrauch, President of AFGE Local 644 and Vice-President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
Financial Support Received from:
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Roofers Local 30
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Doug Pike served on the Editorial Board of The Philadelphia Inquirer for 14 years, providing insight and analysis on a broad range of public policy for southeast Pennsylvania. He also served as President of a hospital for 10 years. Previously, Pike served as a Special Assistant and Speechwriter for U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas. In 1971, Pike graduated with honors from Princeton University. He resides in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.
Contact: 610-896-2162, drew@pikeforcongress.com
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