Local unions and union state councils continue to endorse HR 676, single payer legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

In New York, AFT Local 3517, New York State United Teachers, has voted to support HR 676, reports Dr. Ralph Knopf, the local’s president. The local represents faculty members at C.W. Post Collegial Federation, Long Island University. Local 3517 is the 7th AFT local to endorse HR 676.

In Ohio, the IAM State Council has also voted to endorse HR 676, reports IAM activist Toni McBroom. This action by the IAM Ohio State Council, McBroom said, means: “Now every machinist member in the entire state of Ohio will be fighting for HR 676, universal single payer healthcare for all. We care about this bill because we care about people’s lives.” McBroom was a delegate to the recent CLUW National Convention and spoke from the floor in favor of a CLUW resolution endorsing HR 676.

In Virginia, Public Service Workers Union Local 160 of the United Electrical Workers (UE) has also voted to endorse HR 676. The endorsement resolution states: “Polls consistently show that citizens overwhelmingly favor some sort of national health care…. A single payer health care program is reasonable, feasible and popular; what stands between us and its achievement is our lack of organization and politicians willing to stand up to the insurance industry. Let us mobilize our members and allies to claim this basic human right.”