Boston, Massachusetts. The Labor and Healthcare Committee of Boston Jobs With Justice has sent a letter to 400 Massachusetts unions asking them to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

The letter was signed by eight labor leaders and the Executive Director of Massachusetts JwJ. Signers include Myles Calvey, Business Manager, IBEW Local 2222; Beth Piknick, President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association; Mike Grunko, President, SEIU Local 509; Willie Desnoyers, Chairman, UAW Massachusetts CAP Council; Peter Knowlton, President, UE District 2; Ron Patenaude, President, UAW Local 2322; Jeff Crosby, President, IUE/CWA Local 201; Jon Weissman, President Emeritus, NALC Branch 46; and Russ Davis, JwJ Executive Director.

Two local unions, the 15,000 member UFCW Local 1445 in Dedham and Carpenters Local 40 (UBC) in Cambridge, have already responded to the letter with endorsements of HR 676. Local 1445 is the first UFCW local to endorse HR 676.