Chicago, Illinois. The more than 3,000 delegates to the 80th Convention of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) voted to “support the passage of HR 676,” single payer health care legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

The AFT is the 15th international union to endorse HR 676.

Five AFT affiliates submitted resolutions calling for support for HR 676. In addition, one local union submitted a resolution urging endorsement of a single payer healthcare system.

Affiliates that submitted resolutions for HR 676 included the Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1; United University Professions, Local 2190; the California Federation of Teachers; the New Jersey State Federation of Teachers; and the AFT Seattle Community Colleges, Local 1789. The West Haven Federation of Teachers, Local 1547, called for support for single payer.

Martha Livingston, a Chapter Vice President and a Convention Delegate from the 32,000 member UUP, Local 2190, said after the vote: “I’m thrilled that the leadership of my union, with 1.4 million members, was in complete agreement with the membership in both the Political Action Committee and on the floor of the convention where there was unanimous support for HR 676.”

Other international unions that have endorsed HR 676 are UAW, NEA, ILWU, NALC, IAM, Plumbers & Pipefitters (UA), Musicians (AFM), UE, CNA/NNOC, SMWIA, IFPTE , OPEIU, UTU & SEIU.