Issued November 07, 2020
Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President Rocio Saenz released the following statement on the historic election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
“Working people won this election. Essential workers, Black and brown communities, and a strong majority of voters of all races and backgrounds powerfully and decisively defeated Donald Trump’s division and hate. We chose a resilient, inclusive America. We chose -- with the most votes for a presidential ticket ever -- Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
“Essential workers, Black, brown, and those representing immigrant communities, powerfully and decisively defeated Donald Trump and chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ vision for an inclusive, resilient America. After putting it all on the line to keep our communities running, fight the virus, protect our democracy and get out the vote, essential workers of all backgrounds have sent a clear message that it is time to transform America’s economy and our politics by valuing working people and our communities.”
“It is time to transform America’s economy and our politics by valuing working people and all our communities. We know it won’t be easy and we face challenges. But we still expect bold, decisive action in the first 100 days on the Biden-Harris Administration and Democrats in Congress. We will fight for a $15/hr federal minimum wage so all workers can support our families. We will fight for the chance to join a union no matter where we work, to bargain for better jobs and build stronger communities. We want a reimagined care economy and a rational plan to deal with the pandemic. We will fight for racial justice rooted in our communities, a path to citizenship for our immigrant neighbors, healthcare for all, and immediate action on climate change.”
“ We congratulate President-elect Biden, who has dedicated his career to fighting for workers and modeling strong, empathetic leadership. And we congratulate and honor Vice President-elect Harris as she continues to break boundaries and pave the way for so many women and girls as the first Black, South Asian woman elected on a presidential ticket. “
“By voting in record numbers essential workers rejected President Trump’s cruel immigration policies and anti-immigrant record and instead, Latinx, AAPI, Black, and immigrant communities came out strongly in support of building a healthy and vibrant America that works for all of us regardless of where we came from or the color of our skin.”
“Poll after poll consistently shows support for keeping families together, Dreamers, people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and more immigration to America where immigrants are valued and respected regardless of where they came from.”
“Tomorrow, we will be back in the fight to win justice for all and chart a new path forward for America. In this moment of reckoning, it’s time to disrupt and uproot the deadly impacts of structural racism in America’s economy and democracy. We must face this pandemic, the economic insecurity of too many families, and demands for an end to police violence head-on. We’ll be in the streets, organizing our communities and marching together to continue the fight to ensure our economy and democracy works for all of us, no exceptions. We are ready.”