The Path to Sustainable Economic Recovery

Nov 02, 2009 - Last week, we learned that the swift action by the President and Congress to pass an economic recovery package earlier this year helped stave off a global economic recession, put our economy back on the path of growth, and helped save hundreds of thousands of jobs. Read more...

What's Next?

Oct 30, 2009 - What happened outside the bankers' conference on Tuesday was a reminder of the power of our voices together. For three days, thousands of us from every corner of the country and all walks of life came together to demand change from the Wall Street banks. Together we stood up to the big banks that have done so much harm to our communities; Together we marched through the streets of Chicago, 5,000 strong, forcing the bankers to answer for their actions; Together we showed the world through stories and pictures and words that our voices united can make a difference. Read more...

Crash the Bankers' Party in Chicago

Oct 23, 2009 - If you could get all the architects of the banks/bailout scam together in one place, what would you say to them? Hurry up and decide, because they're all getting together in Chicago this weekend-- and we're headed there to meet them. The big bank execs are gathering in the Windy City for the American Bankers Association conference, for a 4 day celebration of wealth and opulence paid for by our tax dollars. Read more...

Big Banks & U.S. Chamber, There's a New Cop in Town

Oct 23, 2009 - Yesterday the House voted 39 to 29 to move forward with the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, to help put a stop to the dangerous and deceptive products and practices that got us into this mess. It was a sad day for corporations in the financial, insurance, and real estate sector--like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce & the Financial Services Roundtable--who spent a combined total of $321 million lobbying against federal reforms such as limits on bonuses and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). Read more...

SEIU: CFPA Vote Key First Step But More Must Be Done To Protect Americans From Wall Street Recklessness

Oct 22, 2009 - SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger released the following statement after the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee voted 39 to 29 to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA): "Today, Chairman Frank and the Financial Services Committee stood up on behalf of American families by passing legislation to create a strong Consumer Financial Protection Agency--and to prevent business as usual to continue..." Read more...

Wrong for NJ: New ad calls out Gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie

Oct 22, 2009 - Today SEIU launched a new television ad ("What Do We Know?") calling attention to Republican Gubernatorial candidate and former Bush appointee Chris Christie's dismal record on women and families. The ad will air on local cable across southern New Jersey during the critical closing days of the Gubernatorial campaign. Read more...

Think your retirement is secure? Think again

Oct 21, 2009 - SEIU member Willie Lucas has been an electrician at Howard University for three decades. He was planning to retire in two years but the economic crisis wiped out nearly $50,000 from his 401(k) and he's had to put his retirement off another 10 years. The outrageous thing is that Willie is one of the lucky ones. Read more...

It's time to deliver

Oct 20, 2009 - Right now, everyone is paying for the cost of our broken health care system. People with "pre-existing conditions" are being denied coverage by insurers. Women are being charged 30-51% more than men for the same health insurance policies. Read more...

Stop Puerto Rico's George Bush

Oct 14, 2009 - Tomorrow, over 200,000 people are preparing to take to the streets in a general strike, and Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuño is threatening to charge the protesters with terrorism. Not even Karl Rove and George Bush tried that. Violating the civil rights of your own citizens is unacceptable--ask Congress to hold hearings on Fortuño's anti-American behavior. Read more...

Victory: Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis to Resign after SEIU Campaign

Oct 01, 2009 - Yesterday, Americans were given one more reason to look forward to ringing in the New Year: Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis announced he will be be stepping down from the bank, effective Jan. 1, 2010. As a part of the Take Back the Economy coalition, SEIU and partners have been calling (loudly and persistently) for Lewis' ouster for several months. Read more...

Watch Anna Burger's testimony at hearing on Consumer Financial Protection Agency

Sep 30, 2009 - SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger is testifying before the House Financial Services Committee this morning at a hearing on the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. You can watch online starting now here http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hr_092309.shtml. Anna should be speaking shortly before 11:00 a.m. Read more...

Update: Filling Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat, Banks, Protests for Corporate Reform, Employee Free Choice

Sep 28, 2009 - This past week, while much of D.C. has been focused on the healthcare mark-up (us included), we've also been tracking a few other stories that we wanted to bring to your attention. First--the encouraging news that Massachusetts will return to full representation and the Democrats in Congress to a cloture-proof majority. Also, don't miss two stories on SEIU's calls for financial reform and a questionable award choice from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Read more...

Part of insurance industry's money-making plan: Denying coverage to victims of spousal abuse

Sep 17, 2009 - If you're shaking your head at disbelief at the discovery that insurance companies can--and do--deny coverage to victims of spousal abuse by citing the abuse as a "pre-existing condition," you're not alone. On Air America's "The Ron Reagan Show" last night, host Reagan and SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger discussed this outrageous practice "This is outrageous that women who are victims of domestic violence can't have health coverage," said Anna Burger on Air America's "The Ron Reagan Show" last night. Tell members of Congress to step up and get this done--because no one should be denied health care coverage, least of all women who have already endured so much. Read more...

Wall Street Reform Must Not Be Stalled or Stopped

Sep 15, 2009 - "When Lehman Brothers fell, they took not just the rest of Wall Street, but all of Main Street, down with them. Yet, one year later, the greedy CEOs who caused the collapse are unremorseful, unrepentant, and virtually unchanged," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, following President Obama's speech yesterday on the anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers. While the economy continues to recover, President Obama warned, "normalcy cannot lead to complacency." Read more...

SEIU: Senator Harkin Continues His Fight for Working Families

Sep 09, 2009 - SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger released the following statement on Iowa Senator Tom Harkin assuming the gavel of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee. Read more...

US Chamber of Commerce at the Root of Financial Crisis

Sep 09, 2009 - As Americans continue to face furloughs, layoffs, and dwindling savings, as millions find themselves unable to afford the homes that banks enticed them to buy with tricky mortgages, and as states and cities cut services as a result of declining tax revenue, CEOs and the US Chamber of Commerce remain unrepentant, unremorseful, and if they get their way, unregulated. Read more...

Progress towards protecting American workers

Sep 08, 2009 - Labor Day is a time to reflect on the achievements of the American worker and our nation's commitment to helping all families pursue the American Dream--especially now that many are facing difficult times, as the result of the recession and the anti-worker agenda carried out by the previous administration. In a short period of time, President Obama and the 111th Congress have been working hard to undo many of the policies that have harmed our nation's workers; showing time and time again that they stand on the side of working families. Read more...

MSNBC: SEIU's Anna Burger speaks on reform & the public option

Aug 21, 2009 - Today on MSNBC, reporter Andrea Mitchell spoke with SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger about health care reform--and why successful reform to contain health costs needs to include a public option. Hear what Anna has to say about moving reform forward in this country, and why co-ops are not a viable substitute for a public health plan option. Read more...

In case you missed it....August 17th round-up

Aug 17, 2009 - In union news this week...Hear both sides of the story surrounding the St. Louis health care town hall; read about SEIU's Anna Burger's speech at the Netroots Nation convention; help stop a Detroit college freshman's deportation; counter "death panel" noise with real facts about healthcare and tell Wal-Mart to end their financial support of Glenn Beck's televised hate. Read more...

Anna Burger addresses Netroots Nation

Aug 15, 2009 - SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger took the main stage at Netroots Nation to talk about what it's going to take to build a 21st century economy that works for all Americans. Joined by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and economist Dean Baker, the panel discussed the problems and opportunities we face as we find our place in a global, service-oriented economy. Read more...

Calling all Internet Aficionados: Netroots Nation Kicks off

Aug 13, 2009 - The Netroots Nation convention kicks off today in Pittsburgh, PA, drawing together thousands of the country's best and brightest online organizers, political bloggers and progressive activists. See what panels SEIU and Workers United staffers are leading over the course of the weekend. Tune in to the live stream here. Read more...

SEIU's Anna Burger (and Bill Clinton) to keynote at Netroots Nation

Aug 10, 2009 - We're pretty excited that SEIU Secretary-Treasurer and Change to Win chair Anna Burger is set to keynote at the fourth annual Netroots Nation conference (formerly known as the YearlyKos Convention) this weekend in Pittsburgh, PA. Read more...

A more perfect union: Senate confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court

Aug 06, 2009 - What a unifying moment for so many in our country today, as the U.S. Senate voted 68-31 to confirm Sonia Sotomayor as the nation's 111th Supreme Court justice. She will be the Court's third woman and its first ever Latina. Read more...

SEIU Statement Following Senate Vote Confirming Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court

Aug 06, 2009 - Statement from SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on the U.S. Senate's 68-31 vote today confirming Sonia Sotomayor's nomination as associate justice to the Supreme Court of the United States. Read more...

July 24th: Minimum wage inches up to $7.25/hour

Jul 23, 2009 - Starting tomorrow, the Federal minimum wage is increasing from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour, the last part of the 2007 minimum wage legislation passed by Congress. Read more...

Unions make for a much more family-friendly workplace

Jul 16, 2009 - A new report authored by the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education and the Labor Project for Working Families found that companies with more unionized workers are more likely to pay for family health insurance premiums, embrace paid leave, and allow the use of personal leave to care for a sick child. In case you needed more evidence as to why we need to restore workers' freedom to form unions and bargain through the Employee Free Choice Act. Read more...

Statement by SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on New Report Showing Unions Make More Family-Friendly Workplaces

Jul 16, 2009 - SEIU Anna Burger's statement on a new report that finds that companies with more unionized workers are more likely to pay for family health insurance premiums, embrace paid leave, and allow the use of personal leave to care for a sick child. Read more...

Sotomayor confirmation hearings reminder America is still the land of opportunity

Jul 13, 2009 - The life story of Judge Sonia Sotomayor is, quite literally, a remarkable retelling of the American Dream. Her personal story of achievement has given her a rare insight into the lives of people who get up and go to work each day to make a better life for their families. Watch the Sotomayor confirmation hearings live here. Read more...

U.S. Senate's Expansion of Reckless E-Verify System is Harmful for All Workers

Jul 08, 2009 - Today the U.S. Senate passed an amendment by Senator Jeff Sessions to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to permanently mandate use of the E-Verify employment verification system for all employees of Federal contractors. SEIU, which scored the vote, has long opposed the expansion of a program that has repeatedly been proven to be flawed and costly by the Social Security Administration and the Congressional Budget Office. Read more...

Big banks & U.S. Chamber of Commerce join forces to tank financial reform

Jul 07, 2009 - Recognizing their parallel efforts to fund campaigns against working families, the unappetizing alliance of big bank executives, credit card and financial services companies is joining forces to intensify their lobbying efforts against financial reform. Read more...

For shame, Citigroup!

Jul 02, 2009 - The Financial Times reported yesterday that Citigroup is raising credit card interest rates on 15 million customers. Read more...

SEIU to Citigroup: Shameful to Raise Interest Rates During Economic Crisis

Jul 01, 2009 - SEIU's Anna Burger: "It's shameful that Citigroup would raise interest rates on millions of Americans during a time when record unemployment and home foreclosures are forcing families to rely more and more on their credit cards just to get by." Read more...

Working families need Al Franken in the U.S. Senate

Jun 30, 2009 - The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that Al Franken won the state's U.S. Senate election last November against incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). Read more...

Anna Burger: It is Time to Seat Al Franken in the U.S. Senate

Jun 30, 2009 - Change to Win chair and SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement on today's decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court that Al Franken is entitled to a certificate of election as Minnesota's next U.S. Senator: Read more...

White House Plan to Cleanup Wall Street, Stabilize Economy & Protect Consumers is Strong First Step

Jun 17, 2009 - Today, Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer of the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and a member of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, issued the following statement in response to the White House's fiscal reform plan: "The White House plan is a significant first step towards reforming and holding accountable a financial system whose irresponsible, risky practices have destabilized our economy and devastated millions of hard working families..." Read more...

Anna Burger Speaks Out on Excessive Corporate Pay

Jun 03, 2009 - Yesterday, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger addressed a conference sponsored by the Institutional Investor Education Foundation on retrieving the excessive pay and bonuses corporate CEOs received as they helped drive the nation's economy down. Read more...

"Campaign for America's Future" Prepares the Way for Healthcare Reform

Jun 03, 2009 - More than 1,000 progressive leaders and activists have been in Washington, DC at the Omni Shoreham Hotel for the yearly America's Future Now! Conference, organized by Campaign for America's Future (CAF). The main 'event' of CAF's 2009 conference has been the launching of an $82 million campaign for healthcare reform, a collective effort involving more than 1,000 organizations that are part of Health Care for America Now behind President Obama's health care plan. Read more...

Survey Results: The American Dream and the New Progressive Majority

Jun 02, 2009 - Change to Win released the results of the seventh in its ongoing series of American Dream surveys today, measuring views on how strong majorities of working Americans view the economy, the role of government, the American Dream, and the action agenda that is at the heart of the new progressive majority. Read more...

Judge Sotomayor's Nomination to the Supreme Court an Extraordinary Choice for Today and Tomorrow

May 26, 2009 - President Obama said he would appoint people to our courts who not only had brilliant legal minds, but who also understand how the law impacts the everyday lives of working families. Today he has fulfilled that promise by nominating U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more...

Working Women and Men of SEIU Hail Supreme Court Nominee as Extraordinary Choice for Today and Tomorrow

May 26, 2009 - Statement of SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States: "Some choices are made for today; others are decided with the future in mind: this choice is right on both counts..." Read more...

SEIU: Pass "The Healthy Families Act" To Help Workers and Businesses

May 22, 2009 - "Hard-working Americans deserve to know that they can go see a doctor without losing their job," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, following the introduction late yesterday of "The Healthy Families Act" by Senator Kennedy. Representative DeLauro introduced the legislation into the House of Representatives earlier this week. Read more...

Green jobs and energy are focus of President's first Economic Recovery Advisory Board meeting

May 20, 2009 - During the first quarterly meeting of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger and fifteen other board members discussed green jobs and energy with the President, sharing their expertise on the creation of a comprehensive energy plan that will generate millions of clean energy jobs. Read more...

Video: Anna Burger on Labor's Role in Democracy

May 13, 2009 - "When workers had a voice on the job, when unionization was high and one in three workers had a union, not only was it good for those workers, it lifted up everybody," said SEIU's Anna Burger in an interview with the Brennan Center for Justice. "It raised the standards across America in terms of wages, healthcare, retirement security and the ability to give our kids a better life." Read more...

Bank of America Fails "Stress Tests," Needs $34 Billion and Accountability

May 07, 2009 - Yesterday's federal government stress test results confirmed what concerned shareholders, taxpayers and bank employees have been saying all along--that Bank of America is failing taxpayers and our economy. Read more...

Sebelius Confirmation Brings America One Step Closer To Fixing Our Broken Healthcare System

Apr 28, 2009 - "The 6 million hardworking Change to Win affiliate members hoped the current economic crisis and overwhelming burden healthcare costs place on working families would be enough for a speedy confirmation. We are encouraged that obstructionists in the Senate have finally realized that dragging their feet on reforming our healthcare system only harms working families, small businesses and our economy. A potential pandemic with severe economic consequences only reaffirmed the immediate and critical need for leadership at HHS. Read more...

SEIU's Anna Burger Statement on Obama 100 Days: "Turning the promise of change into reality."

Apr 28, 2009 - President Obama has made it clear from day one that we will not be able to rebuild our economy stronger than it was without a greater voice, and greater prosperity, for American workers. Read more...

Anna Burger joins Earth Day roundtable on role of women in the green economy

Apr 22, 2009 - SEIU's Anna Burger joined women from labor, business, academic and advocacy organizations to shine a light on the important role that women will play in our green economy at an Earth Day roundtable today at the Department of Labor headquarters. Read more...

SEIU to Chamber of Commerce: Stop Using Taxpayer Bailout Funds to Undermine Working Families

Apr 14, 2009 - On their blog yesterday afternoon, the Chamber of Commerce admitted to accepting dues from member companies who have received taxpayer bailout money. The Chamber of Commerce must stop accepting taxpayer funds to lobby against taxpayer interests that would improve the lives of hardworking Americans. Read more...

The Union Advantage for Women

Mar 31, 2009 - In 2007, women made up 45 percent of union members--and by 2020, women will be the majority of the unionized workforce. Women have a great deal to gain from unionization, as union victories work to pave the way for workers to bargain for affordable family health care, fair wages, improved working conditions, and a better life for their families. Read more...

Empowering Workers through Employee Free Choice

Mar 31, 2009 - Today, the Politico debuted a special section online and in print about the Employee Free Choice Act. Read more...

SEIU Supports New Bill to Ease Debt for Nursing Students

Mar 13, 2009 - Iowa Congressman Tom Latham and Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin introduced a bill on Thursday aimed at easing the debt burden on nursing students and combating America's nursing shortage. Read more...

White House Health Summit

Mar 05, 2009 - Today, President Obama hosted a one-day health forum at the White House to officially launch a discussion on how we can bring about meaningful change in health care. The 120 participants - Republicans, Democrats, insurance companies, labor, doctors and patient advocates, including SEIU's President Andy Stern, Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger and SEIU Healthcare chair Dennis Rivera - will be working together to offer up ideas for the best way to make reform happen. Read more...

Green Jobs: "Clear Path to a Stronger Middle Class and a Stronger American Economy"

Feb 27, 2009 - The world is facing a historic opportunity to rebuild our global economy through investments in sustainable projects that will create new jobs, reduce our dependence on oil and protect our planet after decades of mismanagement. Read more...

Green Jobs: "Clear Path to a Stronger Middle Class and a Stronger American Economy"

Feb 27, 2009 - Change to Win Chair and SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, issued the following statement about the first meeting of the Middle Class Task Force today, chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Read more...

President Obama's Budget: "A New Era for Working Families"

Feb 26, 2009 - Change to Win Chair and SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, issued the following statement about President Barack Obama's proposed budget. Read more...

The Bold Leadership America Needs to Confront A Broken Healthcare System

Feb 24, 2009 - Change to Win Chair and SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement after attending President Obama's address to Congress this evening: Read more...

Statement of SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger Following White House Fiscal Responsibility Summit

Feb 23, 2009 - SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued a statement after participating in today's White House Fiscal Responsibility Summit: "Today under President Obama's leadership, representatives from government, civil society, academia, business and labor united as a country to get our economy back on track." Read the rest here. Read more...

Change: The Next Steps

Feb 18, 2009 - Thanks in part to your hard work, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law yesterday afternoon. Read more...

SEIU's Anna Burger: Economic Stimulus and How it Will Work

Feb 17, 2009 - "President Obama really wants to make sure the voice of people are heard in Washington and that as we develop economic policies, they work for people across our country: for workers, for business, for the economy as a whole," says SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger in a MarketWatch video interview on Friday. Read more...

How to get the change we need

Feb 12, 2009 - Call Senators Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and thank them for supporting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Tuesday and urge them to vote for it on final passage as part of an economic solution for America's families. Read more...

SEIU to Conferees on Recovery Bill: Don't Shortchange Working People

Feb 10, 2009 - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger today sent a letter to House-Senate conferees that thanks members of Congress for their urgent and necessary efforts so far to create jobs that will stem the economic crisis and that urges them to complete work quickly on a comprehensive plan. Read more...

Anna Burger Named to President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board

Feb 06, 2009 - Anna Burger, chair of the Change to Win labor coalition and International Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), today was named to President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board in a ceremony at the White House with President Obama. Read more...

SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger Named to President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board

Feb 06, 2009 - Anna Burger, chair of the Change to Win labor federation and International Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), is being named by President Obama to his Economic Recovery Advisory Board in a ceremony at the White House today along with other board members. Read more...

On Heels of Senate SCHIP Vote, SEIU Calls On Congress to Keep Rebuilding the American Dream

Jan 29, 2009 - Today, Congress took a first and important step to rebuilding the American Dream," said SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger as Senators from both parties worked together to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). "We applaud the Senate for strengthening the children's health insurance program and ensuring no child must wait for care." Read more...

In 2008, More Than 88,000 Workers United in SEIU

Jan 29, 2009 - The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual union membership report yesterday that showed an increase in union membership nationwide for 2008 -- the largest growth rate on record since 1983. Growth in SEIU -- 88,926 members -- accounted for nearly 21 percent of the national growth. Read more...

New TV Ad Campaign Targets House Republicans Completely Out of Touch with Working People in America

Jan 29, 2009 - SEIU and coalition groups Americans United for Change, MoveOn.org Political Action and AFSCME unveiled a new television ad campaign that aims to to pressure key and potentially deciding votes in Congress and build momentum behind President Obama's "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act". Read more...

House Republicans' Vote on Economic Recovery Package: "Completely Out of Touch with Working People in America"

Jan 28, 2009 - The only solution House Republicans offer to our economic crisis is tax cuts, but tax cuts only work for people who are working. People who have lost their jobs and watched their futures go up in smoke don't want more hot air ... they want action and got it today from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Read more...

Union Women, Labor Leaders & Online Activists Advocate for Solis Confirmation

Jan 28, 2009 - Stop delaying confirmation of Rep. Solis as secretary of labor: As Obama said in his inaugural address, "let's put away childish things" and get on with the workings of government. Read more...

Stronger Economic Future for America Requires Long-range Vision

Jan 26, 2009 - "The millions of working people reeling from the severe economic recession need a recovery package that not only addresses the crisis and relieves the pain, but also lays the groundwork for a stronger and fairer future," writes SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on Politico's The Arena, commenting on what kind of stimulus plan this country needs to get our economy back on track. Read more...

Anna Burger Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Jan 19, 2009 - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor the timeless values he has taught us all - courage, compassion, fairness and community service." Read more...

Anna Burger: 2009 Will Be the "Year of the Middle Class"

Jan 05, 2009 - "By rebuilding the American Dream for millions of families and rewarding work instead of one's wealth, greed or market manipulation, we can strengthen our economy for generations to come," says SEIU's Anna Burger, giving us her boldest political predictions for 2009 on Politico's The Arena. Read more...

Anna Burger: The Economic Recovery Program Our Nation Needs

Dec 12, 2008 - Anna Burger has a piece in the Huffington Post today, making the point that the Employee Free Choice Act is key to any economic recovery program: Read more...

Employee Free Choice Fast Facts Update

Dec 03, 2008 - In the current economic climate, the American public is eager to see Congress take action to strengthen the middle class and restore our nation's economy. To help working families improve their standard of living and get our economy back on track, Congress should pass federal legislation known as the Employee Free Choice Act. Read more...

SEIU's Anna Burger Responds to Obama's Efforts to Fix Economy

Nov 21, 2008 - In today's edition of Politico's The Arena, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger comments on what can be done about the nation's economic policy. Read more...

New Television Ad Highlights Need for Employee Free Choice Act

Nov 20, 2008 - As the nation's current economic crisis continues and wages stagnate, the American public is hungry for measures to strengthen the middle class. A new nationwide television ad campaign serves as a reminder that we need the Employee Free Choice Act to level the playing field for America's workers by giving them a fair and direct path to form unions. Read more...

Anna Burger on Meet the Bloggers

Nov 14, 2008 - Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger was on Meet the Bloggers today, talking about the Employee Free Choice Act. Watch it now: Read more...

Anna Burger to Appear on Meet the Bloggers

Nov 14, 2008 - Today on Meet the Bloggers watch Anna Burger, SEIU secretary-treasurer and Change to Win chair, discuss how the Employee Free Choice Act can revitalize our nation's middle class and why it's so important to give workers the right to form unions in the workplace. Read more...

Workers Recount Their GOTV Efforts for a New Economic Agenda

Nov 11, 2008 - Union members from SEIU and the Change to Win federation 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. Read more...

SEIU Leaders Barnstorm Battleground States for Obama, Senate Candidates

Oct 31, 2008 - SEIU President Andy Stern and Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger will hit the campaign trail this weekend in a final push to win key battleground states for Barack Obama and Senate races for pro-working family candidates Al Franken in Minnesota and Jeff Merkley in Oregon. Read more...

Obama Puts Healthcare, Economic Relief for Middle Class First in Prime-Time Special

Oct 29, 2008 - There's a lot at stake this election--the American Dream hangs in the balance. That's why nurses, janitors, child care providers, and other SEIU members continue to mobilize their co-workers and communities to elect a president who will finally win healthcare for all and rebuild the middle class. Read more...

Anna Burger to Join Governors Sebelius and Napolitano at Obama Town Hall Meetings in Indiana Monday

Oct 27, 2008 - On Monday, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger will moderate town hall meetings with Governors Kathy Sebelius of Kansas and Janet Napolitano of Arizona in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute, Indiana for Barack Obama. Read more...

Bush Administration Again Attacks Constitutional Rights

Jul 10, 2008 - By signing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act of 2008 (FISA) into law today, the Bush Administration adds another disgraceful chapter to its annals of attacks on our civil liberties. Read more...

Call with Anna Burger This Wednesday on SEIU Members' General Election Work

Jun 30, 2008 - Conference call to discuss SEIU's plans for the general election campaign, including activity by more than 100,000 members, more than any election in SEIU's history. Some of the states discussed will include: AZ, CO, IA, MN, NC, NH, NM, OH, PA, WI and VA Read more...

SEIU Members Get Ready to Mobilize for General Elections

Jun 24, 2008 - Nurses, child care and home care workers, janitors, security officers and other SEIU members across the country are already talking to voters and hitting the streets in key states and races across the country. Read more...

SEIU MEMBERS CALL ON CONGRESS TO EXTEND JOBLESS BENEFITS

Jun 12, 2008 - As record gas and food prices, skyrocketing health care costs and the mortgage crisis continue to hammer the economy, SEIU's two million members today called on Congress to pass legislation extending jobless benefits. Read more...

SEIU Adopts Groundbreaking Political Accountability Campaign

Jun 03, 2008 - On day two of their convention, SEIU members promised to dramatically change the way the union serves its members, uses its political voice and builds partnerships with workers around the globe who share common employers. Read more...

SEIU: THE GENERAL ELECTION BEGINS TONIGHT

Jun 03, 2008 - "Now that the final primary votes have been cast, we congratulate Senator Clinton on waging a vigorous campaign that inspired working people across this country," said Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger. "Senator Clinton has been a strong friend of workers and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the Senate." Read more...

SEIU MEMBERS HELP CLOSE OUT NOMINATION FOR OBAMA IN OREGON

May 20, 2008 - SEIU's 50,000 members in Oregon helped Barack Obama win big, giving him a majority of the pledged delegates in the nomination contest in addition to a majority of the superdelegates. Read more...

OBAMA: CLEARLY THE PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE

May 06, 2008 - "Senator Obama's commanding win in North Carolina and close showing in Indiana means he is clearly the Democratic nominee for President,"said Anna Burger, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer. "We've had a long process and the outcome is now clear. The Democratic Party should come together to focus on winning in November." Read more...

SEIU Urges Action Now In Congress To Provide Economic Relief To Workers

Apr 10, 2008 - SEIU's President and Secretary-Treasurer met with House and Senate leadership today to discuss solutions to provide relief to workers who are being affected by the current economic downturn. Read more...

SEIU: McCain Still Does Not Get It

Apr 10, 2008 - SEIU released the following statement from SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on Senator McCain's economic proposals made today in New York City: Read more...

OBAMA STANDS WITH SEIU MEMBERS FOR CHANGE AT CONVENTION

Apr 02, 2008 - In a speech today at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO's 38th Constitutional Convention, Senator Barack Obama laid out a plan to help working families and put us on a clear path to creating a new American Dream. From ending the war in Iraq to strengthening the ability of workers to organize and turning around the economic slowdown, Obama will deliver the change America needs. Read more...

SEIU Members Help Carry Obama to Overwhelming Victory in Wyoming

Mar 08, 2008 - SEIU members helped carry Sen. Obama to an overwhelming victory in the Wyoming caucuses today with hundreds of SEIU members from every corner of the state turning out their coworkers, families, and friends to set record caucus participation. SEIU has more than 1,200 members in the state. Read more...

Barack Obama Wins Debate on Creating a New American Dream

Feb 26, 2008 - Senator Obama clearly demonstrated tonight that he has the best plan and best strategy to create a new American Dream. Whether the topic was ensuring that all Americans have access to health care, ending the war in Iraq, or creating new jobs for workers, Obama showed yet again that he is the best candidate to unite the country for the change we need. Read more...

SEIU Leaders Stern and Burger to Join SEIU Member Activities for Obama in Cleveland Saturday

Feb 22, 2008 - On Saturday, SEIU President Andrew Stern and Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger will join SEIU members pounding the pavement in Cleveland and Youngstown for Sen. Barack Obama. Stern will kick off a morning canvass with Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and join SEIU member events for Sen. Obama throughout the day. Read more...

Working Families Need More Relief, Less Rhetoric from Washington

Feb 04, 2008 - As a new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals that public views of the national economy are now more negative than at any point in nearly 15 years, Service Employees International Union Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement today regarding the effects of America's economic woes on working people: Read more...

SEIU: Best Thing About Bush's State of the Union Address is That it is His Last

Jan 28, 2008 - SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement tonight regarding President Bush's final State of the Union address: Read more...

SEIU Leaders Applaud House Passage of Children's Healthcare, Warn Bush Against Veto

Oct 26, 2007 - Leaders of the largest healthcare union in the nation today celebrated the House passage of SCHIP legislation that would provide health coverage for nearly 10 million uninsured children, and expressing outrage at President Bush's threat to once again veto the bill. Read more...

Statement of SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger Regarding Bush Veto of Children's Healthcare

Oct 03, 2007 - Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU, the nation's largest union of health care workers, today issued the following statement regarding President Bush's veto of the bipartisan SCHIP legislation: Read more...

SEIU Members to Hold Political Action Conference in Washington

Sep 10, 2007 - Six leading candidates for president will address close to 2,000 of SEIU's most politically active members at the Member Political Action Conference (MPAC) on Monday, September 17, 2007. Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger will present SEIU's plan for electing a pro-worker president in 2008. Read more...