Labor is Running a Massive Campaign in NJ

1199SEIU, 32BJ, CWA, & SEIU are Spending BIG on Mikie Sherrill

With American families facing unprecedented attacks from the Republicans’ pro-billionaire agenda, leading unions have launched a massive field operation and digital campaign to elect Mikie Sherrill. 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (“1199”), 32BJ, Communications Workers of America District 1 (“CWA District 1”), and the Service Employees International Union (“SEIU”) are investing a combined $575,000 in independent expenditure spending.

For months, the unions have focused their attention on mobilizing their members in the garden state. Now, in the final month of the race, labor is expanding its focus to encourage voters in Northern New Jersey to vote for Sherrill in the gubernatorial election.

This unprecedented field program is concentrated on Spanish-speaking voters in Elizabeth, Perth Amboy, and Passaic. Canvassers are organizing voters with a strong message about good jobs, quality healthcare, and making New Jersey more affordable for families. There is also a field operation and digital campaign engaging and mobilizing base Democrats, particularly voters of color, in Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties to vote in the gubernatorial election.

“1199SEIU caregivers are all in on Mikie Sherill and electing a New Jersey governor who will fight to keep healthcare costs under control so our patients can get the quality care they need. We are now making one of the largest expenditures that we have ever made in the state to remind working-class voters to cast their ballots for Mikie Sherill–the only candidate who will prioritize families over billionaires. With 390,000 New Jerseyans about to lose their health insurance because of the Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, frontline healthcare workers know that that the garden state deserves a true leader who will put the health and wellbeing of its residents ahead of Ciattarelli’s pro-billionaire agenda,” said Helen Schaub, Political Director of 1199SEIU which is the largest healthcare union in the country representing 450,000 caregivers on the East Coast.

“This effort is about people power. Across New Jersey, our members and staff are united on one mission–talking with voters about what’s at stake, from fair wages to stronger communities. Between now and Election Day, we’re ramping up, with up to 100 members and staff knocking on doors and making calls every day to support Mikie Sherrill and ensure working families have a voice in Trenton,” said Carla Thomas, 32BJ NJ Assistant District Leader

"Throughout history, unions have been at the forefront of fighting not just for our own members, jobs, and livelihoods, but to raise standards and strengthen our communities for all," said Dennis Trainor, Vice President, CWA District 1. "To that end, there is no election in this country this year that is more important than the NJ gubernatorial race, and no single fight that will have a greater impact on our membership and NJ’s working families at a time when wealth inequality and cost of living are out of control, and anti-union forces are doing everything they can to strip us of our rights. This election is a must-win not just for Mikie Sherrill, but for every worker in this state, and CWA is proud to stand alongside our union family in this fight!"

Independent expenditures are political spending made by a political committee or individual which is not coordinated with a campaign. Political action funds, which are supported by small-dollar contributions from caregivers, janitors, and other union members, are paying for these independent expenditures supporting Sherrill.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and nationwide. We represent 8,000 caregivers in New Jersey and over 450,000 members throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.  Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.

32BJ SEIU is a member-driven union representing 15,000 service workers in New Jersey and a total of 185,000 service workers across 12 states and Washington, D.C.

The Communications Workers of America represents 700,000 working men and women in public service, education, telecommunications, customer service, healthcare, media, airlines, and manufacturing. District One represents 70,000 total members in New Jersey.