Did you attend a Labor Day event, march or rally with SEIU members or any of our coalition partners? We want to know!

Use this form to upload your photos, audio and video capturing your Labor Day experience--we'd love to showcase your footage on the SEIU Blog in the coming days.

Here's a photo from a great healthcare event that was held yesterday in Los Angeles:

« Submit your photos, audio or video from Labor Day here.

Visit SEIU's Labor Day 2009 page for facts on labor unions and health reform.

On Tuesday September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers marched from city hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first-ever Labor Day parade. Despite the threat of losing their jobs, participants took an unpaid day off to honor American workers and draw attention to grievances they had with employers.

And the list of grievances was long. During this time, the average American worked twelve hour days, seven days a week, just to make a basic living, with children as young as six toiling alongside adults.

As years passed, more states began to hold these parades, but Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later. A bloody strike by railway workers brought the issue of workers' rights to the public eye and provoked Congress to officially make the first Monday of September Labor Day.

Today, it's not uncommon to hear the phrase "Unions: The Folks Who Brought You the Weekend." And the saying is true: unions won the eight-hour day standard we all enjoy today. What many people don't realize is that workers and their unions had to fight for the eight-hour day for nearly 3/4 of a century (beginning in August 1866) before any national reform was enacted. The dream of an eight-hour work day finally became a reality in 1938, when the New Deal's Fair Labor Standards Act made it legally a full day of work throughout the United States.

The Struggle Continues

Although many Americans have now come to associate Labor Day as just a day off from work or the end of summer relaxation, it's important not to forget the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters, whose brave acts earned us the working rights we now possess. Unions have historically laid the groundwork for impressive grassroots campaigns to strengthen America's middle class and rebuild the economy in hard times. As we face the greatest recession since the Great Depression, unions continue to be at the heart of efforts to pass healthcare reform, restore economic balance and bring prosperity to all Americans.

This Labor Day, let's remind members of Congress just how many working families are still struggling to make ends meet under the strain of skyrocketing health care costs. Help send Congress back to DC with a mission to reform healthcare by joining us at send-off rallies across the country.

Events being held by SEIU and HCAN across the country on Labor Day, September 7th in Arkansas, Colorado, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Washington state are listed after the break.

We want you to know first...

When SEIU endorses a candidate in your backyard.

When your Senator or Congressman needs to hear our voices on the health insurance reform, Employee Free Choice, or immigration debates.

When our members require support at the workplace, the state capitol, or in the streets.

You can be the first to know by texting 'SEIU' to 787753 (PURPLE) right now, or clicking the link below to sign-up for our new mobile alerts program:

http://action.seiu.org/seiumobile

Two weeks ago, "Tea Party" protesters physically assaulted an SEIU staffer at a health care town hall event in Missouri.

Video of the event had well over 400,000 views on YouTube. And despite the fact the video showed our staffer -- dressed in purple -- on the ground at the start of the clip, Glenn Beck and his tea-bagging friends launched daily attacks on SEIU claiming we perpetrated the violence.

It's time like this that we need immediate coordination, and being a part of our mobile alert list is a critical piece of our rapid response infrastructure.

Text 'SEIU' to 787753 (PURPLE), or click the link to sign-up for mobile alerts right now: http://action.seiu.org/seiumobile

All across the country, right-wingers and opponents of health care reform are spreading misinformation about President Obama's proposals to improve health care coverage for all Americans. To help debunk the misinformation about what health care reform actually means, a new coalition called Americans for Stable Quality Care--which includes the SEIU, American Medical Association (AMA), PhRMA, the Federation of American Hospitals and FamiliesUSA--will launch their first ad today as part of an August recess campaign for health care reform.

From Politico:

The group is likely to be the biggest spender in support of health reform. The campaign will serve as a counterweight to the critics at town meetings, which are getting saturation news coverage while Congress is out of town.

In a reversal from former President Bill Clinton's 1993-94 health care debacle, the group's campaign is likely to mean that White House supporters keep the upper hand on the airwaves.

Watch the ad here:

As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, "where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed." In line with prospering the truth about reform, here's the text of the first ad from this coalition:

What DOES health insurance reform mean for you? It means you can't be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, or dropped if you get sick. It means putting health-care decisions in the hands of you and your doctor. It means lower costs, a cap on out-of-pocket expenses, tough new rules to cut waste and red tape, and a focus on PREVENTING illness before it strikes. So what does health insurance reform really mean? Quality, affordable care you can count on.

An official from Americans for Stable Quality Care elaborates on the groups' objectives for the campaign, saying "Now that the debate is turning on what health reform means for the individual, they felt the need to launch a new front that addresses some of those particulars while debunking some of the myths that are floating around. Plus, these groups recognize that their collective voice packs more punch than if they were to just speak out individually." The ads will air in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Virginia.

For the 47 million Americans without health insurance and the rest of the country, reform in health care is worth doing. If you're looking for an opportunity to help turn the tide on reform, attend a town hall to contribute to civil public debate about important healthcare issues our country faces. Find a town hall meeting near you (hat tip to FireDogLake).

This Saturday, Ed Perlmutter will be talking to folks at a local grocery store, taking your questions and listening to your concerns.

As you know by now, the enemies of reform have come out in force. Across the country, they've acted in a manner befitting an unruly mob, unwilling to listen to either reason or rhyme, driven mad by their desire to shut down debate:

We need to respond. In your hands, more than others, lies the fate of health care reform. Only you can make a difference, in this time and at this place. Will you stand with Ed Perlmutter on Saturday, and tell him Colorado, and our country, must have health care reform now?

You can RSVP here.

When you come back from the townhall, be sure to tell us what happened, and to share any pictures or video you may have taken here.

The time is now. Our broken health care system will not be fixed unless you stand up and speak out. Congress is in recess in order to listen to you. Ed Perlmutter is looking to you for the courage and steadfastness to stand strong and make the change Colorado and our country needs. Now, more than ever, we need to remind Ed Perlmutter that Colorado cannot afford to wait.

Come to his townhall; show up early. Wave signs, wear t-shirts & buttons. Most of all, tell your stories. Standing together, we will drown out the enemies of reform. We will send a message that, for the general welfare of America, health care reform must happen this year.

Again, you can RSVP here, to stand with Ed.

Be sure to share your story of the townhall, and any video or pictures you may have taken, here.

As members of the U.S. House and Senate turn their sights from committee hearings and floor votes in D.C., to barbecues and luncheons back home, SEIU's Change That Works team is ready to ensure they don't forget the promises they made on the campaign trail to fix our broken healthcare system and support hardworking families.

At more than 400 events, from nurse and doctor town halls to large rallies, canvasses and phone banks--wherever members of Congress are, SEIU members will be there as well. From an ambulance tour in Miles City, Mont., to bake sales in North Dakota, we are letting them know that working families need affordable, quality healthcare this year and the Employee Free Choice Act, a check on corporate greed that would allow workers to bargain with their employers for better job security, wages and benefits.

Our message this recess is clear: there are consequences to not changing the status quo -- consequences for families, consequences for our economy and consequences for members of Congress.

Here are just a few highlights from the more than 400 events taking place during the congressional recess:

• Colorado's "Rolling Rallies for Reform" will bring out activists and leaders across the state to highlight the need for healthcare reform in their communities, from Grand Junction to Durango to Glenwood Springs. Each rally will feature local leaders, small business owners, front-line caregivers and hardworking Americans sharing their personal healthcare stories.
  
• Healthcare rally in Indianapolis Aug. 29.
  
• Grassroots activists will participate in each of Senator Grassley's town hall forums in Iowa.
  
• Emails will be sent to Louisiana's congressional delegation with a new personal story each day that underscores the need for quality, affordable healthcare reform.
  
• Montana's Emergency Drive for Healthcare will highlight the need to pass healthcare reform with an ambulance tour across the state that will cover 21 sites in 15 days. The tour will rack up the miles in Miles City; attend a barbecue in Lame Deer; put on street theater in Missoula; and participate in the Relay for Life event in Libby--just to name a few stops.
  
• Rally for change at the state capitol in Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 19.
  
• Bake Sales for Healthcare across North Dakota will take place July 29-31. During the first week of September, look out for "Losing Sleep Over Healthcare," where leaders and activists hold an evening rally followed by an all-night vigil for the reform needed by the millions of Americans who lose sleep every night over healthcare bills.

Since January 12, 2009, SEIU's Change That Works campaign has generated:

• 14,021 one-on-one meetings
  
• 3,827 letters to the editor
  
• 122,145 petition signatures
  
• 93,136 phone calls
  
• 99,814 letters to Members of Congress

With a staff of more than 400 on the ground in an ongoing 35-state campaign, these numbers continue to grow every day. Visit SEIU's Change That Works for ongoing updates.

"Let me be clear: if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction. These are the stakes of the debate we're having right now."

That was President Obama on Wednesday. Today, we got further proof of the cost of doing nothing. Just look at the table released this morning by the Center for American Progress.

Within ten years, if we fail to address the rising cost of health care in America, the average health insurance premiums paid by families will nearly double, from $13,500 today to $22,400 in 2019. Oh but it gets worse - because in addition to rising premiums, Americans lucky enough to have health insurance still face increasingly burdensome co-payments and out-of-pocket costs - the kinds of costs that you can't haggle away when you're severe pain.

In Colorado, our premiums will increase from $12,936 in 2009 to $22,073 in 2019. Given that Colorado faces additional hurdles, like the fact that premiums have already increased by 91% since 2000; that 24% of middle-income Colorado families spend more than 10% of their income on health care; and that 14% of Coloradans report not visiting a doctor precisely because of the cost, inaction in the face of economic danger is something we can ill afford - and yet, that's exactly what happens every day that we fail to act on this.

Here's the thing: it doesn't have to be this way! The projections that CAP outlined don't have to come true. We can write a different story. We know how to "bend the curve" of increasing health costs. We can reform our health care system so that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.

One way we're keeping the focus on reform is by joining with our friends at Fire Dog Lake in asking Colorado's Representatives in Congress to stay and work on passing health care legislation like HR 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act," over the August recess. Congress shouldn't take a three-week vacation when 14,000 Americans are losing their insurance coverage every day. That's nearly a third of the population of Grand Junction here in Colorado.

Let's make this happen. Colorado can't afford the cost of doing nothing any longer.

For the last few weeks, I've been asking what you're doing for health care reform. I've also been spotlighting the stories that you've shared, through video and text, and asking you, at various events, to engage with your Senators.

Mark Udall is now doing the same thing. Will you take a moment and share your story with him?

While you're at it, take time to share your story with us, and sign on in support of quality, affordable health care for all.

video taken & edited by Kyle Todd

On July 2nd, activists in Colorado Springs rallied in support of quality, affordable health care for all Coloradans. Watch the video above to see their stories. Once you've finished, you can sign up here to share your story.

This year during the Congressional Fourth of July recess, SEIU & Change that Works activists created fireworks across the country. Here are a few highlights:

• Senator Grassley in Iowa told a constituent who asked for healthcare reform that provides benefits comparable to those for Members of Congress to "go work for the Federal government." Watch the YouTube video here.
  
• Events in Fort Wayne and Evansville, Indiana, focused on the need for healthcare reform this year that makes healthcare affordable for every family.
• Activists in Maine highlighted the drastic costs of our healthcare crisis and families that have resorted to "Begging for Change." The story was picked up by the AP and published in over 300 newspapers! The recess activities urging Senator Snowe to support comprehensive healthcare reform appeared in the New York Times.
• Members and community partners held rallies for healthcare reform in Denver, Colorado Springs and North Dakota.
• Find out who Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns called when SEIU Change that Works activists greeted him at a healthcare town hall.

On July 2nd, people in Denver rallied to demand quality, affordable health care for all. Watch as speakers tell their stories. You can follow and learn more here, and sign up to tell us your stories here and support health care reform.

Mike Maday visited the CO congressional delegation with the Change that Works Colorado group to discuss why he thinks we need health care reform now. Watch the video above to see what kind of reception he received, and sign up here to show your support for a public option.

I've been asking, over the last couple of weeks, what people are doing about health care reform. Tonight, I attended a house meeting hosted by a nurse, Mike Kingsbury, in his home in Denver.

I've gotten to know Mike fairly well - he's one of SEIU's grassroots lobbyists. Before he was a lobbyist, though, he was a trauma nurse. In that capacity, he's seen some of the worst casualties anyone working in a hospital can see. It was in that capacity, too, that he realized the need for health care reform.

"I started with 4 patients; soon, 4 became 6, 6 became 8 - and I found that I had no time to give them the care they needed. I told my supervisor about my concerns, but all she said was that I needed to do a better job."

I heard stories from some of the other people in the room - but I was drawn to a woman sitting quietly in the corner. When the group broke to write letters to their senators, I followed her and asked her if I could talk to her.

Jenny spoke softly.

"I've been friends with Mike for a long time. I'm a graphic designer, and I've been self-employed for a little while," she said. "I've had health insurance for most of my life, but because I'm an self-employed businesswoman, I've had to depend on my husband's health coverage. Recently, though, he was laid off. We've had to depend on COBRA because of that - turns out that paying a third of the COBRA costs is cheaper than paying for private health insurance. The fact that the Administration has to subsidize COBRA [because of the current economy] is unfortunate. I think that everyone should have basic health insurance, and that's why I'm here tonight."

That's what Jenny is doing about health care reform - what are you doing? If you want to know more and do more, sign up at our Facebook page, and keep following along at our state page.

Finally, tonight, join health care activists across America in a conversation about health care with Sen. Chris Dodd at 6 PM ET / 4 PM MT. If you want to know more about where legislation and health care reform are headed in Congress, this is the call to be on.

Colorado State Legislators Sen. Linda Newell, Sen. Joe Isgar, and Rep. John Kefalas signed onto a letter along with 700 state legislator from every state, to the President, HHS Secretary Sebelius and leaders of Congress, asking them to support key ingredients for real health care reform. Today, a delegation of legislators from around the nation will be on Capitol Hill to meet with the White House and deliver the letter.

State legislators are at the forefront of good health care reform with states like Colorado looking for ways to implement health care reform through mechanisms like the 208 Commission.

From the letter:

Key priorities for reform are reflected in recent state initiatives and public opinion polls which show that Americans want more choices and options for quality health care. Americans recognize that the private sector alone has proven incapable of creating a high-quality, fair, and accountable health care system that works for all families. Therefore, a key priority for reform is the choice of a public health insurance plan that is available to businesses, individuals, and families.

These are elected officials who have been legislating on health care reform for years, and have a keen understanding of how burdensome our broken health care system is for state budgets and for people's pocketbooks.

Read the entire letter being delivered on the Progressive State Network's website.

"This isn't an either/or proposition between the interests of workers and the interests of shareholders. That's the old argument. The new argument is that the American economy is not and has never been a zero-sum game. When workers are prospering, they buy products that make businesses prosper." -- President Barack Obama, Jan. 30, 2009

Today, 225 Colorado businesses released a "directory" featuring businesses that support the Employee Free Choice Act.

"It's time our economy worked for everyone again," said Terri Monley, owner of Gate City Moving in Denver. "We have a fundamental economic problem: The middle class is disappearing in America. Congress needs to pass the Employee Free Choice Act because it is one of the most important steps we can take to strengthen our middle class and turn our economy around."

"As a business owner, I believe that workers should have the freedom to bargain with employees for good wages, health care and the opportunity to retire with dignity," said Diana Ortiz, owner of Colorado-based Ortiz Enterprises, LLC, and advisory committee member of Business Leaders for a Fair Economy, a national group of more than 1,000 businesses who have come together to support the Employee Free Choice Act. "Better wages mean that the whole community has more money to spend and to build our economy." Ortiz's business was recently named "Small Business of the Decade" by the Pueblo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The facts speak for themselves: when workers can unite for a voice on the job, they make one-third more in wages and are 52 percent more likely to have health care. More people, with more money, invariably support small businesses. In this economic crisis, we have a duty to support entrepreneurs and start-up companies in building sustainable, long-term successful businesses, rather than being forced to compete against irresponsible companies in an unwinnable, low-wage race to the bottom.

Nearly 40 leading American economists, including Nobel Prize winners Joseph Stiglitz and Kenneth Arrow, have issued a joint statement calling for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act as a critical step towards rebuilding our economy.