Throughout his storied career, Sen. Kennedy stood with members of SEIU to fight for dignity and respect for working people everywhere. As a testament to this, stories continue to pour in on the work the Senator championed alongside our members.
In 2002, Senator Ted Kennedy walked the picket lines, held a press conference, and rallied public support for 10,000 Massachusetts janitors fighting for their first contract. His dedication and continued presence throughout the long negotiations helped some of Massachusetts hardest-working and most underpaid workers win a livable wage and access to affordable healthcare--even for part-time janitors.
Kennedy also stood with more than 250 security officers at Harvard as they fought for a fair contract. "From the fight for decent wages and benefits to his pioneering work on healthcare and immigration reform, Kennedy was there, always championing the little guy," recalled Rocio Saenz, President of SEIU Local 615 in Boston.
Sen. Kennedy could always be counted on to stand shoulder to shoulder with SEIU members in Massachusetts.
- He championed the mission and funding of Boston Medical Center, where 1199SEIU members staff and deliver care at the most charitable safety net hospital in the state. Thanks to the support of the Senator, 1199SEIU members have provided care for more uninsured and under-insured patients than any other hospital in Massachusetts.
- In late 2008, Senator Kennedy called together an historic meeting of Boston-area hospital CEOs, asking them to pledge their commitment to a free and fair process for caregivers seeking to form unions. The Senator helped ignite a campaign that has allowed thousands of area hospital workers the freedom to join a union and improve their lives and patient care.
- Kennedy was also a stalwart advocate for the 1199SEIU Training & Upgrading Fund, the largest healthcare workers training fund in the United States. That fund has helped countless Massachusetts healthcare workers establish improved career paths, through unique and innovative healthcare education and college tuition programs which are jointly administered by health employers and 1199SEIU.
"In these past 50 years, no elected official has done more for the cause of civil rights, peace, education, affordable housing, immigration reform, women's rights and the rights of workers and their unions than Senator Kennedy. He has stood with 1199 at every important juncture," said 1199SEIU President George Greshmam.
During an interview with 1199SEIU's magazine Our Life and Times back in December 2007, Senator Kennedy spoke about his support for workers' rights and Employee Free Choice, saying "Unions make a profound difference in the lives of working families."
We feel the same way about the Senator. Learn more about Senator Kennedy's legacy on SEIU.org, and help us honor him by sharing your memories.
