Washington, DC.

Gregg Junemann, a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, addressed a congressional briefing on single payer health care on Capitol Hill on May 22nd. An audience of close to 100 activists from 10 organizations were in Washington to lobby for single payer legislation. Junemann, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, praised the Central Labor Councils and local unions at the grass roots of the union movement for pushing for the cause of single payer health care.

Junemann spoke of the health care crisis for retirees, problems with higher co-pays, the so-called “Cadillac tax” and much more. “The labor movement is dedicated more than ever to the prospect of national single payer…” said Junemann. His entire remarks can be seen and heard here beginning at the one minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QKBxqGIMkSI#t=54

Other speakers included Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) principle author of HR 676, national single payer legislation, which he has introduced in the House of Representatives each session since 2003 and Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA).