PRESS RELEASE
September 3, 2010

Contact: Stan Israel 401-457-5099; Roxana Rivera 401-965-3555

SEIU Endorses Angel Taveras for Mayor of Providence

Providence, RI— Today, the hardworking members of District 1199 SEIU and SEIU Local 615 endorsed Angel Taveras for Mayor of Providence and urged city voters to support him on September 14th.

"We are excited to endorse Angel for Mayor," said Stan Israel, vice-president of District 1199 SEIU.  "Angel represents an American Dream success story and he understands the lives and needs of Providence working families. From hospitals to health centers to nursing homes, our members have seen the downside of the Rhode Island economy and need a Mayor who will fight hard for middle class opportunities.  Angel Taveras will be that Mayor."

“Our members work two and three jobs so that their kids can live a better life," said Celsa Del Pozo, downtown janitor and executive board member of SEIU Local 615. “What impacted me most in meeting Angel was how he identifies with the struggle of immigrant families as they strive for a better life.  He comes from working parents, who are just like us, working hard so that one day their kids can fulfill their dreams.”

“I am humbled to earn the support of health care and building service workers across Rhode Island," said Angel Taveras.  "SEIU members are on the front lines of our service economy and I look forward to working with them to create jobs, increase workforce training, develop new health care job opportunities and to grow our Providence economy."

District 1199 and Local 615 represent 4,500 health care,  food service, and building service workers in Rhode Island at hospitals, nursing homes, commercial buildings, universities community health centers and developmentally disabled facilities.  SEIU members work in downtown buildings, Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Butler Hospital, Bannister House, Charlesgate Nursing Center and the Providence Community Health Centers.