FAIRFIELD, NJ—With the November mid-term elections just five weeks away, members of 1199SEIU in New Jersey have launched a major voter mobilization effort to get out the vote for candidates who will defend and advance the interests of working families.

On Saturday, September 29, dozens of 1199SEIU nursing home workers joined 11th Congressional District candidate Mikie Sherrill in Fairfield before hitting the pavement to canvass neighborhoods in Essex County.

A sentiment shared by the 1199SEIU volunteers is that the result of these Congressional midterms will have a profound and long-term impact on the nation’s most pressing issues—healthcare affordability, access to good jobs, immigrant and workers’ rights, and gender and racial justice.

“As a mother, it’s getting harder and harder to get by,” said Rachelle Washington, who works as a certified nursing assistant and brought her two children to canvass. “We need change, and that’s why I said to myself I have to get out with my kids and show them why politics matters.”

“Healthcare workers play a vital role in keeping our communities healthy and safe,” said Mikie Sherrill. “That’s why I support protecting healthcare services, creating jobs, and promoting education in order to help them give the best care to their patients. I look forward to joining with the women and men of 1199SEIU as we work hard to send new leadership to Congress for the 11th District to focus on these issues.”

“The 2018 midterm elections are among the most consequential in our lifetime, with basic principles of equality, justice, and democracy at stake,” said Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU. “We must elect leaders like Mikie who are dedicated to preserving the American Dream by vigorously defending workers’ rights, protecting access to healthcare, and being a champion for women and our families.”

###
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New Jersey and nationwide. We represent over 16,000 healthcare families in New Jersey and over 400,000 total members throughout New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.   Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.