Cleveland, Ohio. The 125,000 member United Transportation Union (UTU) is the 13th international union to endorse HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

James Brunkenhoefer, UTU National Legislative Director, said: “The UTU is for HR 676 because single payer health care will reduce costs without impacting the quality of the care.”

The endorsement resolution was passed by the UTU’s U.S. Legislative Committee during the Tenth Quadrennial Convention. The union is the largest operating rail union in the U.S. with over 600 local unions.

The convention resolution, which was submitted by the Maryland State Legislative Board, said in part: “The U.S. health system continues to treat health care as a commodity distributed according to the ability to pay, rather than as a social service to be distributed according to human need. Insurance companies and HMO’s compete not by increasing quality or lowering costs, but by avoiding covering those whose needs are greatest.”

Twelve other international unions have endorsed HR 676 including the UAW, NEA, IAM, Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA), Musicians (AFM), UE, CNA/NNOC, ILWU, NALC, Sheetmetal (SMWIA), IFPTE & OPEIU.