On March 18, 1199SEIU members from Maryland joined together in Annapolis for the union's annual Legislative Action Day. Caregivers from across the state met with their State Delegates and Senators to discuss issues of concern to workers, patients, and families.Members appealed to their legislators to support bills to: Protect the rights of University of Maryland Medical Center caregivers, who currently hold the sad distinction of being the only hospital workers in the state without protection under either the federal or state labor relations boards; Raise the state minimum wage to $10 an hour over three years and index the wage to inflation thereafter; Help address the staggering problem of workplaces violence in healthcare facilities; and Provide full funding for a new regional medical center in Prince George's County."I'm proud to be here, standing up for other workers and for working families who are struggling," said Marie Ott, an 1199SEIU member and clerical associate at Dimensions' Bowie Health Center. The legislative action day marked the first time that Ms. Ott, a member of the union for more than 20 years, had participated in a union-sponsored activity."I'm so glad I came out today," she explained. "This has really opened my eyes to all the things our union does."Caregivers also had the opportunity to hear from three prospective candidates for Governor in 2014, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, and State Attorney General Doug Gansler.- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/caregivers_speak_out_hear_from_candidates_at_maryland_legislative_action_day#sthash.TbNXH1UN.dpuf