SEIU Latino Caucus Mobilizes Hundreds in Major Voter Outreach for Harris-Walz in Philadelphia

For Immediate Release

September 21, 2024

Press contact: Terry Lee, [email protected]

SEIU Latino Caucus Mobilizes Hundreds in Major Voter Outreach for Harris-Walz in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Earlier today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Latino Caucus concluded a significant voter outreach effort in support of the Harris-Walz presidential campaign. SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Rocio Sáenz joined union members and leaders in a day of canvassing throughout Philadelphia and surrounding counties, emphasizing the critical role of working class Latino voters in the upcoming election.

SEIU members from across the East Coast and Puerto Rico converged on Philadelphia, demonstrating the union's $200M commitment to send Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz to the White House and elect worker champions up and down the ballot. Following a rally led by SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Rocio Saenz, 32BJ President Manny Pastreich and Executive Vice President Jamie Contreras, union member volunteers from SEIU Local 32BJ headed to the surrounding neighborhoods to knock on doors and engage with potential voters.

"Latino workers are a driving force in our fight to win political and worker power," stated Rocio Sáenz at a launch event. "With 36.2 million eligible Latino voters projected for this election, a 153% increase since 2000, our community has the power to shape the future of this country. The enthusiasm of our members who traveled from all over the East Coast and Puerto Rico demonstrates the unity and determination of our union to make a difference in this crucial election."

Janice Guzman, a homecare worker and SEIU 1199NE member, traveled from Massachusetts to participate in the outreach effort. "I came to Philly from Massachusetts because I want my fellow Puerto Ricans to be informed and included in this crucial election," she said. "I'm all in for Kamala because I'm sick and tired of what Trump and company are doing to women and immigrants. I choose a future where I make the decisions over my own body and everybody is treated with fairness."

Eneida Rivera, a housekeeping worker and SEIU 32BJ member, emphasized the importance of voter participation regardless of language barriers. "It's very important that everybody knows what's going on and that they vote, no matter the language they speak," she stated. "I'm spreading the word about why Kamala is the working people's choice because we are at a crossing between human rights and a dictatorship. I choose human rights."

Today's canvassing event is part of SEIU's broader strategy to mobilize six million working-class voters in the 2024 election. It follows the union's recent launch of a multi-million dollar media campaign, "The Workers' Election," which targets key battleground states with advertisements in seven languages.

In Pennsylvania, where the last two presidential elections were decided by less than 1%, the Latino vote is poised to be decisive. With approximately 580,000 registered Latino voters in the state, SEIU's outreach efforts could significantly impact the election's outcome.

The SEIU Latino Caucus, recognized for its leadership in civic engagement, is expanding its efforts beyond Philadelphia. Members are also being deployed to Wisconsin and Arizona, demonstrating the Caucus's commitment to building a multi-racial, working-class voting base across the nation.

This mobilization outreach aligns with SEIU's goal of uniting a million new members into the union over the next decade and reflects the organization's dedication to winning worker power, political influence, and shaping the future of labor in America.

####

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.