For Immediate Release
April 26, 2022
SEIU Massachusetts State Council endorses Maura Healey for Governor
–Healey will accept endorsement in Lawrence at 4pm-
LAWRENCE, MA: Today, the SEIU Massachusetts State Council endorsed Attorney General Maura Healey to be the next Governor of Massachusetts. The State Council represents more than 115,000 SEIU members across the Commonwealth serving in healthcare, public services, and property services.
“Across every sector, SEIU members stand for better working, learning, and living conditions for Massachusetts residents. Maura Healey is the best candidate to advocate for our essential workers and the needs of the communities we serve,” said Peter MacKinnon, President of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council and SEIU Local 509. “Maura Healey’s commitment to fight for issues like affordable healthcare, housing, and child care is not only aligned with our members’ values – it’s what we need to advance racial and economic justice here in Massachusetts.”
Today’s announcement concludes a months-long endorsement process, where each of the candidates for Governor had the opportunity to meet with members and leaders across the six SEIU Locals in the MA State Council. [Click here to download the SEIU for Healey endorsement video.]
“SEIU members keep our communities healthy, safe, fed, and moving. As Attorney General, I’ve been proud to stand with them to demand fair wages and benefits and to advocate for policies that are good for working people, like paid leave and affordable child care,” said Maura Healey. “I’m honored to have their support in our campaign for Governor, and I look forward to continuing this work to make Massachusetts a place where every worker can thrive.”
As Attorney General, Maura Healey has fought to protect collective bargaining and workplace rights when they have been under attack by special interests, vigorously enforced wage and anti-discrimination laws, and lifted up immigrants and communities of color through the power of her office. She is a committed partner in addressing the opioid and mental health crises: two battles SEIU members see up close in their health and human service professions. Attorney General Healey has been a national leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic, reaching landmark settlements that will bring hundreds of millions of dollars from lawsuits against opioid companies. and as Governor, is committed to mental health parity in coverage and workforce development to get residents the urgent care they need.
Today at 4pm, Attorney General Healey will join SEIU members and leaders from across the state for an endorsement press conference at the Lawrence Public Library (51 Lawrence St, Lawrence, MA). Following the press conference, she will meet with home care workers from 1199SEIU who are in the midst of contract negotiations to strengthen the industry including a pathway to a $20 per hour starting wage to address recruitment and retention.
About the Massachusetts SEIU State Council
With more than 115,000 members, the SEIU Massachusetts State Council is the fastest-growing union in the Commonwealth representing workers in three sectors: healthcare, public services, and property services. The council’s shared goal is to organize workers in these critical sectors, improve wages and working conditions, improve the quality of care and services our members provide, and build political and legislative power for all workers and their families.
1199SEIU represents over 70,000 workers in hospitals, nursing homes and home care settings, and SEIU 1957 CIR represents over 20,000 medical interns, residents, and fellows nationally. SEIU Local 509 represents nearly 20,000 health, human service, and higher education workers, and SEIU Local 888 represents 8,000 workers in state and municipal services and higher education.
With more than 175,000 members in 12 states, including 19,000 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers’ union in the country. SEIU 3FO represents another 1,000 in public and private property services.
