Union members from SEIU and the Change to Win federation -- which includes six additional unions -- gathered at a press conference Friday to tell their stories of hope and optimism to promote a new era for positive government and a progressive agenda for worker-driven economic growth. New survey results were also unveiled as part of Change to Win's ongoing American Dream Project, focusing on how workers' perception of the American Dream influenced their vote in the just-concluded election.

A few key survey findings:

• Almost 7 in 10 working Americans (68%) felt more enthusiastic for voting in this election compared to elections past, fully 19 points higher from the fifth American Dream survey in September 2008.

• For working Americans, the single most important issue in deciding their vote for President was the economy and jobs (72%), followed by health care and prescription drugs (26%), and the war in Iraq (23%).

• Barack Obama won the vote from working Americans decisively, winning 51 percent to John McCain's 39 percent, with 10 percent either not sure or voting for a third party candidate. For working under Americans under the age of 30, Obama's victory was even more convincing--58 percent to John McCain's 34 percent, with nine percent either unsure or voting for a third party candidate.

• Despite the economic crisis and other problems facing our nation, American workers believe the American Dream is still obtainable. Only 19 percent believe they may not or will not be able to obtain the American Dream while a solid majority (73%) either have obtained it (15%) or believe that it is still obtainable (58%).

• Working Americans feel most strongly that the best steps the President and Congress can take to make the American Dream more attainable are making sure employers keep their promises to employees with regard to pensions and health care (87%),  followed by enacting health care reform (81%), cracking down on oil speculators and price gouging at the pump (79%), and ensuring equal opportunity and equal pay for women and minorities (79%).
  

"Young workers envision a new American Dream based on respect for their work, living wages, a health care system focused on healthy lives rather than corporate profits, and a green and energy independent economy," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer and Change to Win chair Anna Burger. "We won the election, now we will change the country."  

Click here for more on The American Dream and the 2008 Election survey.