Helena, Montana. Laborers’ Union Local 1686 has endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The union is a part of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA).

Local 1686 is a statewide construction and public employees local. Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Kim Rickard said after the endorsement:

“Local 1686 has joined tens of thousands of other workers and hundreds of other local unions in our concern over rising costs of health insurance blocking workers’ progress in wages and other areas. All of our unions face a healthcare crisis and reform must happen. Although our members and I are fortunate enough to have extraordinary health insurance coverage through our Union Health and Welfare Trust, more than 46 million people in the United States are not afforded the same. Insurance must be provided to those that do not have the ability through a union to receive health insurance coverage.”