Atlanta, Georgia. The Georgia AFL-CIO is the 26th state AFL-CIO federation to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich). The Georgia AFL-CIO has over 350 affiliated local unions representing more than 100,000 workers.

The resolution passed Oct. 17th at the convention held in Augusta celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Georgia AFL and the 50th Anniversary of the merged Georgia AFL-CIO. The resolution, initiated by Jack Love, Jr. of Savannah Local 188 of the Plumbers & Pipefitters, was presented to the convention by the Georgia AFL-CIO Executive Board.

Charlie F. Key, Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the state federation, said after the resolution passed, “How can anyone in good conscience not know that healthcare is a basic necessity of life and is enshrined in those three tenets of the Declaration of Independence ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’. We currently see the results of having too many uninsured. Grady Hospital in Atlanta and Memorial Hospital in Savannah are facing serious budget shortfalls because the number of uninsured patients is increasing rapidly.”

Secretary-Treasurer Key took issue that perhaps since Georgia is on Eastern time and Oregon is on Pacific time, “We were the real 25th (state AFL-CIO to endorse HR 676)– but we won’t mind being the 26th…. We are proud to kick off the second half. Let’s move it toward the goal line; All 50 States in 08.”