Labor Speaks out for Single Payer Health Care!

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, (IAM)

"Be it, therefore, resolved that the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, endorses the creation of a single-payer Universal Healthcare in the United States" - Convention Resolution, Cincinnati, Ohio September 19, 2004.

Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU)

"Be it further resolved, that the International is directed to educate our members on the advantages of a single payer, universal health care program and to fight for the adoption of such legislation in the United States..." International Convention Resolution, October, 2004

American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

"BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That AFSCME reaffirms its support for a nation-wide single payer health care plan." - Resolution No: 72, 36th International Convention, June 21-25, 2004

United Mine Workers of America, (UMWA)

"It's time right now to make part of this fight national single-payer health care for every citizen of this country because this (type of case) is happening over and over and over..." Cecil Roberts, International President UMWA, speaking to a rally in support of over 2,000 Horizon coal miners and retirees who were about to be stripped of all health and retirement benefits by a Bankruptcy Court judge. July, 2004

Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE)

"THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that PACE support efforts to establish a cradle-to-grave single payer national health care, such as Canada's where individuals select their own providers and where there are no premium costs, no co-pays, no deductibles, no insurance forms, no hassles and where there is Just Health Care" - International Convention Resolution April 9, 2003

United Auto Workers (UAW)

"You can't fix the health care crisis in America at any one bargaining table with any one employer or within any one industry. It's a national problem that demands a national solution. We need a universal, comprehensive single-payer health care program to cover every man, woman and child in the United States." - Ron Gettelfinger, President UAW, speaking to the the Detroit Economic Club, March, 2003.

Ohio State AFL-CIO

"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ohio AFL-CIO will urge Congress to consider proposals for a single-payer, publicly-funded, not-for-profit health plan" - Ohio AFL-CIO State Convention, Cleveland, Ohio September 12, 2002

National Education Association (NEA)

In a series of resolutions the National Education Association projected action on "NEA's longstanding support for universal, single-payer health care." Representative Assembly, July, 2004

United Steelworkers of America (USWA)

"The ultimate answer to the U. S. health care crisis and the goal we are dedicated to is universal coverage consisting of guaranteed comprehensive and affordable health care benefits for every American citizen and legal resident, a publicly funded, single-payer, health care system established by appropriate federal and state legislation." USWA 31st Constitutional Convention, Resolution No. 27, Health Care for All.

Communications Workers of America (CWA)

"...(W)e must move toward a single-payer system. We realize the national consensus is not there now, but will never get there until we come to grips with the problem. America's health care crisis will continue to grow and will worsen in the years ahead." - Remarks by Morton Bahr, President Communications Workers of America, March 20, 2002 Buffalo, New York

California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC)

"The obligation is upon all of us to transform the healthcare industry into a healthcare system... promoting long-term quality of life and social justice (with) creation and implementation of a single universal standard of excellence in care for all." House of Delegates Convention, 2005

American Nurses Association

"ANA has been an outspoken advocate for equal access to health care for years, and in 1999, the ANA House of Delegates voted to back a single-payer system as the preferred means of financing the U.S. health care system." Nursing World, Jan-Feb 2000

United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers (UE)

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED... "Calls on the U.S. Congress to create a single-payer system and support enactment of Representative John Conyers United States National Health Insurance Act (Expanded and Improved Medicare for All)" 68th UE CONVENTION, 2004

Connecticut AFL-CIO 6th Biennial Convention

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Connecticut AFL-CIO endorses the creation of a single payer Universal Healthcare System in the United States. Adopted unanimously 9/28/05 by the Connecticut AFL-CIO 6th Biennial Convention

Andy Stern, President Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Aug. 30, 2005

"At a time when more and more working families simply cannot afford the health care they need, the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act (HR 676) is a welcome addition to the national debate over health coverage in America."

Jim Williams, President, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades, AFL-CIO, August, 2002

"...a single-payer health plan for everyone will cost less than we're spending now. As early as 1991, the Government Accounting Office reported that eliminating HMOs from the health care system would save enough money to cover all of the uninsured."

New Jersey State AFL-CIO

“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Jersey State AFL-CIO supports Single Payer Healthcare Coverage and will lobby all labor endorsed candidates for national office to work for this important issue” - Resolution 16, New Jersey State AFL-CIO 27th Constitutional Convention, June, 2008.