Four local unions in Utah, New Jersey, Minnesota and the District of Columbia are the latest to endorse HR 676, a bill introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) that would create a single payer healthcare system in the U.S

In Magna, Utah, Steelworkers (USW) Local 12-593 has endorsed HR 676, reports Vice President Kyle Wulle. Wulle said, “Our local and district didn’t need to be convinced, we have been suffering the effects of privatized healthcare for the last 25 years. The out of pocket deductibles and co-pays far exceed the 4.7% of our income that HR 676 would cost us, not to mention what we give up in wages every time we negotiate a contract.”

In Milltown, New Jersey, Local 194 of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE) which represents workers of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority endorsed HR 676, reports Barry Kushnir, Local 194 Secretary Treasurer.

In Center City, Minnesota, IAM Local Lodge 112 Recording Secretary Mike Madden reports: “At the regular monthly meeting of Local Lodge 112 IAMAW, District 19, IAMAW locomotive machinists of the BNSF, UP, CP Soo Line Railroads, on Thursday, September 20, 2007, voted in support of, and endorsed HR 676 and is upon the task of making known to all our coalition that they also in truth and deed go out and do likewise, work for the passage of HR 676.”

In Washington, DC, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 has also endorsed the Conyers bill. Local 689 is the third ATU local to endorse HR 676.