RELEASE: Service Employees International Union Endorses Wes Moore for Maryland Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carter Elliott, 434-942-4755, [email protected]
Aug. 26, 2022

(Wes Moore and Aruna Miller with local SIEU Members)

Service Employees International Union Endorses Wes Moore for Maryland Governor

Pia Morrison, SEIU Local 500 President says “There is no stronger advocate for Maryland’s workers than Wes”

Moore promises to fight to raise wages and build up unions in Maryland

BALTIMORE (Aug. 26, 2022) – Today, the Service Employees International Union endorsed Wes Moore in the 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial Election.

“We are proud to stand alongside Wes Moore in his journey to become the next governor of Maryland,” said Pia Morrison, SEIU Local 500 President. “There is no stronger advocate for Maryland’s workers than Wes. He understands the integral role that unions play in equalizing power for workers and in addressing income inequality, particularly at a time when the people of Maryland face massive inflation and salaries that hardly keep pace with the cost of living. From his commitment to advocating for the state’s educators to his pledge to strengthen collective bargaining, we could not think of a better partner to have as we work to improve the lives of workers across Maryland in the months and years to come.”

“We are excited and proud to endorse Wes Moore to be the next governor of Maryland,” said Lisa Brown, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “He has a great track record as a leader in the nonprofit and private sectors and will bring that experience to the State House in Annapolis. He is committed to helping workers in the healthcare sector, and 1199SEIU is committed to working hard to elect him governor this fall.”

“Wes Moore is committed to raising standards at BWI Airport and other state-run worksites, while ensuring that public dollars spent only go to responsible businesses that provide workers with good wages and benefits,” said Jaime Contreras, Executive Vice President of 32BJ SEIU, the nation’s largest property services workers union which includes over 10,000 members in Maryland. “We will be ALL in to help make Wes Moore our next Governor.”

“Wes Moore talks often about the important role that education plays in our lives. Like Wes Moore, SEIU Local 400 PG has always had a strong commitment to public education,” said SEIU Local 400 PG President William Sellman. “We support those who value the importance of not just the students and the educators, but all stakeholders who play a vital role in our schools. At SEIU Local 400 PG, we stand strong in the belief that Wes Moore has our best interest in mind in his bid to be the next Governor of Maryland and we stand proudly with him on this quest!” 

“Every Marylander deserves the opportunity to have a quality, good-paying job and the ability to join a union–that’s why I’m fighting to raise wages and build up our unions here in Maryland,” said Wes Moore. “For nearly 50 years, SEIU has been fighting for working families here in Maryland and I’m honored to have their support. I come from a strong union family across generations, and after my dad died when I was 3, we received critical support from his union. Maryland deserves a governor who will raise the minimum wage next year; ensure every worker has access to critical benefits like paid sick, family and medical leave; and strengthen collective bargaining rights.” 

The Service Employees International Union joins Baltimore Fire Officers Union Local 964, Ironworkers Local 5, and the Maryland Federation of Police in endorsing Wes Moore in the 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial Election. Wes’ bold plans to support working families and the unions that lift them up are standing out to Marylanders and labor leaders across the state are eager to support his vision.

Read the full labor plan here.

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Wes Moore is a U.S. Army combat veteran who led soldiers in combat with the 82nd Airborne Division, a Rhodes Scholar, former small business owner, and former CEO of one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty organizations. He is the Democratic nominee for Maryland governor for the Nov. 8 election. Learn more at www.wesmoore.com.