PRESS RELEASE: Saturday, August 24, 2024
Contact: April Ezzell, 1199SEIU Communications
april.ezzell@1199.org, (716) 449-1620

1199SEIU, Congressman Joe Morelle, State Assemblymember Demond Meeks, Mayor Malik Evans, and Community Organizations gather at Seabreeze Amusement Park to register voters and activate workers to help get out the vote 

Rochester, New York: Hundreds of 1199SEIU Healthcare workers and their families, Community Organizations, and Elected Officials gathered at Seabreeze Amusement Park today to register voters and mobilize workers to help get out the vote.

1199SEIU hospital, nursing home, home care workers from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse alongside Congressman Joe Morelle, NYS Assemblymember Demond Meeks, County Legislator Carolyn Hoffman, City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, City Council Vice-President Lashay Harris, and other community organizations spoke about the importance of November’s Election.  

The Union Family Fun Day focused on Voter Registration and Volunteerism to Get Out The Vote for November’s Presidential Election in support of Kamala Harris. 

The candidacy of Kamala Harris has created a level of excitement, enthusiasm, and energy that healthcare workers have not seen since 2008. With the family fun day at Seabreeze Amusement Park, 1199SEIU healthcare members from across Upstate officially kicked off campaign efforts to help elect Kamala Harris.   

“It’s very important that we work hard to win this election, so everything is equal for everyone,” said Venus McNeil, 1199SEIU Chief Delegate at University of Rochester Medical Center’s Strong Memorial Hospital.  

“Supporting our healthcare workers is essential to a successful workforce and economy, which is why I’m proud to stand with my brothers and sisters in labor—especially as we approach one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes,” said Congressman Joe Morelle.  

Union members want to maintain the current grassroots momentum until Election Day, November 5^th. Kamala Harris is a candidate for working people and a staunch healthcare supporter. Healthcare workers and their allies understand that electing her and stopping the big-moneyed interests backing the MAGA agenda is critical to protecting their freedoms, livelihoods, and democracy itself, all of which hang in the balance.

“We have to be intentional in protecting benefits,” said New York State Assemblymember Demond Meeks addressing a crowd of healthcare workers.  “How do we protect these benefits – by the power of the vote.  We must be actively engaged and involved in the workplace. We must make sure we have the right people in power in Washington, DC,” said Assemblymember Meeks.

“I want to urge all of you - get out to vote,” said City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans.  “Tell your friends, tell your kids if they are over 18 and eligible to vote, make sure that they vote.  Because if you don’t vote the choice won’t be yours. If you do vote, the choice is yours,” said Mayor Evans. 

 Healthcare workers also signed up for Weekend Warrior efforts continuing in mid-September. Caregivers from across Upstate will return to battleground states to canvass in support of the Harris/Walz ticket.  Rochester caregivers plan to return to Erie, Pennsylvania to help get out the vote on September 14. 

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
www.1199seiu.org