Obama Calls for Change Working Families Are Still Waiting For

Burger: America is ready for bold action and progressive change

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following President Obama's State of the Union address, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger issued the following statement:

"Tonight, President Obama gave a dramatic reminder of why so many of us joined his unprecedented call for change two years ago. The fact is, this president's priorities -- creating millions of new jobs, reforming our broken healthcare system, and holding accountable the parties that crashed our economy in the first place -- are our priorities. They're the priorities of the men and women across this country who get up each morning with no greater hope or desire than to provide decent lives for themselves and their kids.

"One year into his presidency, President Obama has acted quickly to move us out of the Dark Ages of the Bush administration. But today, we need even bolder solutions to address the solutions that America's working families need.

"Pat DeJong, who lost her family's farm when her husband's medical bills piled up, needs affordable and quality care she can count on.

"Victoria Marquez, a janitor and union organizer in Los Angeles who has not seen her family in El Salvador for more than 15 years, needs Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"Maria Guerra, a janitor from Chicago whose brother lost his home after he was laid off, needs us to solve the jobs crisis and to hold banks accountable."

"And last night in Oregon, women and men who get up and go to work every day decided to take a stand for the Middle Class by bucking the trend and voting to make investments in education and public services at a time when our communities are hurting.

"Their message to Congress and the President is clear: voters are seeing positive and progressive change that helps real working families and voters are ready to hold corporations accountable.

"During the 2008 campaign, President Obama issued the call: We are the ones we've been waiting for. Well this is the moment we've been waiting for. Pat, Victoria, and Maria can't afford to wait any longer to live their American Dreams."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers -- not just corporations and CEOs -- benefit from today's global economy.

SOURCE Service Employees International Union