No mention of "75% of members support Clinton" in a letter from my SEIU local

[friendly_iconoclast]

Just that the leadership voted for it:


http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=4a64eabe-5738-4c7e-a5c2-d8c43c1895a0&c=24c13e90-4602-11e3-ad04-d4ae52806b34&ch=26c43a80-4602-11e3-ad3a-d4ae52806b34

Dear 1199 Member,

Over the past several months, more than 22,000 members of 1199 had conversations with each other and filled out surveys about the issues that matter to us most as healthcare workers. Through this process we created our "Action Platform" of priority issues that we will fight for so every candidate hears our voice and we can improve our lives: good jobs, quality healthcare for all, social justice, immigration reform and a healthy planet.

In order to win the goals in our Action Platform, we must have a leader on our side in the White House. That is why the elected leaders of 1199 voted to support SEIU's endorsement of Hillary Clinton today. Throughout the endorsement decision-making process, we sent a clear message that we strongly urge Secretary Clinton to not only continue supporting a $15 minimum wage on the state and local levels, but also to expand that support to the federal level for all working people. In the richest country in history of the world, we must ensure that hard work is rewarded, that working people can provide their children with a better future, and that we can build a fair and inclusive economy.

1199SEIU's executive leaders had met recently with both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and expressed our urgent priorities to them. From those meetings, we felt confident that both candidates strongly supported our issues, but that Secretary Clinton outlined the most effective strategy for winning the general election.

We admire and respect Senator Sanders, and applaud his message of fairness and economic justice. But above all, we cannot under any circumstances let anti-worker, right-wing politicians gain control of the White House, in addition to controlling the Senate, Congress and the Supreme Court. That consolidation of power by the extreme right-wing would be a catastrophe for working people, women, people of color, immigrants, youth, seniors, the LGBTQ community, and for America's standing in the world. The right-wing agenda is focused on accumulating more wealth and power for the top 1%, while leaving everyone else behind.

Secretary Clinton has the commitment, skills and experience to move our country forward, and the most effective strategy to win the presidency. Therefore, we support SEIU's decision to endorse Hillary Clinton, and we will ensure the priority issues of healthcare workers, our patients, our families and our communities are heard loud and clear. Together, we will fight for a country that works for working people, with security, opportunity and dignity for all.

In Unity,
George Gresham, President
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

[HerbChestnut]

1. That's because the 75% number wasn't support.

It's a statistic that said 75% of members view her favorably. Huge difference.

[friendly_iconoclast]

2. She is undoubtedly better than any Republican candidate

A very low bar, indeed...

[NCTraveler]

3. Great letter.

Awesome they are backing Clinton. Republicans have the Kochs, we have unions. We will be on the right side of history as they are swept into the dust bin.

[friendly_iconoclast]

4. Yeah, except for the blatant rewriting of history in the second paragraph:

Throughout the endorsement decision-making process, we sent a clear message that we strongly urge Secretary Clinton to not only continue supporting a $15 minimum wage on the state and local levels, but also to expand that support to the federal level for all working people.

"Continue supporting a $15 minimum wage"? Less than three weeks ago, she was plumping
for $12:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-raise-federal-minimum-wage-to-12-per-hour_56394247e4b0411d306eca12

Hillary Clinton: Raise Federal Minimum Wage To $12 Per Hour
Reuters
Posted: 11/03/2015 06:36 PM EST | Edited: 11/03/2015 09:18 PM EST

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday at two campaign stops in Iowa that she would like to raise the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour from the current $7.25.

Clinton has said repeatedly she wants to raise wages for working Americans, including by raising the minimum hourly wage, but she has rarely named a specific figure.

"I want to raise the federal minimum wage to $12, and encourage other communities to go even higher," Clinton told a campaign event in Coralville, Iowa.

[NCTraveler]

5. It is completely accurate.

The letter clearly defines it "at the local level" and to expand her views on the national level. You only come to your conclusion about the second paragraph by not truly reading what it says. There is ZERO rewriting of history in it.

[hootinholler]

7. I'm curious how exactly she supported $15/Hr locally?

Did she march with people striking?

Did she put out a press release about local efforts?

Did she simply say great job after the heavy lifting was done?

[HerbChestnut]

8. Her "support" is saying...

If that's what people want to do then they should to it. Vote for me.

[friendly_iconoclast]

9. Yep. #FightFor15 is now #LipServiceFor12

[friendly_iconoclast]

10. Since the chances of her pushing for $15/hr nationally range between slim and none...

...I can only conclude that my union leadership thinks we're all simpletons.

Feh!

[ibegurpard]

6. make sure that you and other like minded members

Organize to push back against the leadership. And elect leadership that will represent your interests.