Education, healthcare workers endorse Governor Gregoire

SEIU locals say Gregoire is getting results

TACOMA - SEIU Washington State Council (775, 1199NW, 925, 1948-PSE and LOCAL 6) today endorsed Gov. Chris Gregoire.  The Council represents 100,000 members working in long-term and home care; hospitals and mental health facilities; and, childcare, education, janitorial and security workers.  

"I'm proud to earn the support of the SEIU Washington State Council and their membership who are working to improve our communities everyday," said Gregoire.  "By working as partners, we've been able to improve the lives of workers and take giant steps forward on improving the accessibility of early childhood education and making healthcare safer in our state."

Gregoire received the endorsement alongside SEIU members from five different locals at the Community Montessori School in Tacoma.

"Governor Gregoire has worked with childcare providers, teachers, directors and advocates to ensure that low-income children have access to healthcare and quality childcare, so their parents can go to work and provide for their families," said CathyRaye Hyland, director of Community Montessori in Tacoma and member of SEIU 925. "This important work needs to continue, and we need Governor Gregoire in Olympia so we can continue to make progress."

As governor, Chris Gregoire took on the challenge of expanding healthcare coverage and got results.  In the past three years, 84,000 more children and 17,000 more adults have access to healthcare.

"Chris Gregoire is the Healthcare Governor - she's fought through red tape to ensure our kids have access to quality healthcare, and she recognizes how important safe staffing in our hospitals is," said Bev Barker, an RN and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW member from Swedish Medical Center. "As a nurse, I see how Governor Gregoire's work protects patients."

Gregoire has made record investments in early childhood education all the way up through college enrollment.

"We are raising standards and expecting more from students, but our schools, from kindergarten to college, are taking on more responsibilities and dealing with new problems," said Arlista Holman, registrar at Auburn High School and member of SEIU 1948-PSE. "As a public school employee, I know Washington state needs a governor like Chris Gregoire who understands the challenges of our public schools and who will step up and exercise the leadership to improve our schools."

Like Gregoire, the SEIU's members support children, the elderly and working people.

"The difference between Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi on long-term care issues couldn't be greater," said Phil Bradford, a home care worker and SEIU Healthcare 775NW member in Tacoma who works with Catholic Community Services. "Chris Gregoire has fought for increased training for caregivers, and improved quality of care for seniors and people with disabilities. They are all better off thanks to Governor Gregoire."

"Most of our members - who are janitors, security officers and other building service workers across our state - are barely able to make ends meet. Governor Gregoire stands up for the needs of our hard working families," said security officer and SEIU 6 member David Miles.

For more information on Gov. Chris Gregoire and her campaign, please visit www.ChrisGregoire.com.