Media Advisory for: Saturday, April 29, 2017
Contact: Mark Riley 1199SEIU 347.637.0621

Buses leave from 10 different locations in NYC Metro Area and converge on Dept. of Labor in DC: Workers speak out for clean air, water, energy and healthy communities

New York, NY - The early morning of Saturday, April 29th will see a beehive of activity in 10 locations as healthcare workers from throughout the New York City area get on buses to travel to the People’s Climate March in Washington, DC. The workers, members of 1199SEIU, are adding their voices to the hundreds of thousands of Americans calling for environmental justice and an end to government subservience to the fossil fuel industry and climate deniers.

Home Health Aide Celinda Gonzalez sees the issue from a global perspective:

“We all need to be concerned with climate change. It’s not just about pollutants, but waste and the use of plastics as well. I’m from Peru. We have flooding, mudslides, and other calamities in my country. We know it’s a reflection of global warming.”

1199SEIU President George Gresham says the issue hits home, and the solution is within reach:

“Too often, working families and communities of color are hit the hardest. Scientists are urgently warning us that if we do not take action, we will continue to experience increasingly dangerous droughts, food shortages, super storms, flooding and world-wide conflict, threatening the security and economy of the United States. But we do not have to accept this apocalyptic prediction, because we have the solution in our hands right now. By transitioning to 100% clean energy such as solar and wind power, we could create millions of good jobs, rebuild the middle class, protect our air and water, foster healthy communities and solve the climate crisis.”

1199SEIU member Almitra Yancey will be speaking at the main rally, introducing SEIU President Mary Kay Henry.

The 1199SEIU contingent will be one of the largest labor union groups participating in the march. Members will assemble at the US Department of Labor office, then march to the White House.

Who: 2,000 healthcare workers, members and family of 1199SEIU
When: Saturday, April 29th 2017 Buses leave @ following times:
MANHATTAN: 310 W. 43 Street, NYC, 6AM
BROOKLYN: Utica and Eastern Parkway, 6AM
BRONX: Fordham Plaza, 3rd Ave & E. Fordham Rd, 6AM
QUEENS: 179th Street & Hillside Avenue, 6AM
STATEN ISLAND: 790 Port Richmond Ave, 6AM
WHITE PLAINS: 99 Church Street, 6AM
PALISADES MALL: Lord & Taylor, Exit 12 off I-87, 6:30AM
LONG ISLAND: LIE Exit 63, 6:00AM
LONG ISLAND: LIE Exit 49 Park & Ride, 6:30AM
LONG ISLAND: Hempstead Park Nursing Home, 7AM
NEW JERSEY: Iselin Office, 555 Route 1 South, 6AM

Workers will converge at the US Dept. of Labor
200 Constitution Ave.
Washington DC
12:00 Noon

Members are also traveling from Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and the DC area. Interviews available upon request.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest union in New York State and the largest healthcare union in the nation. We represent over 250,000 nurses and healthcare workers in New York and over 400,000 members throughout the East Coast. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.

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