We demand a Colorado where our economy and democracy work for all of us, not just the wealthy few!
Coronavirus has shown that no matter what we look like, where we live, or what’s in our wallets, we’re all in this together. We have seen the risks working people have taken to care for us and keep us safe, housed, fed, educated, and able to work. And we have seen the crisis expose the damage done by a decades-long assault on government and working people. We know that a return to pre-virus “normal” is not enough, and that it’s time to pull together to demand a new normal for Colorado and the country where our economy, democracy and society take care of all of us, not just the wealthy few!
The Working People’s Platform is a project of SEIU Colorado, a union of over 11,000 Coloradans working in healthcare, airports, and building services. SEIU Community members and community advocates created a set of priorities based on our values and the challenges facing working people across Colorado. We are building an inclusive movement in support of these priorities, so please sign on today!
Candidates in Colorado are being asked to stand up for working people by endorsing the platform. All around the state, people are raising their voices to demand that our government and our economy work for all of us, not just the very wealthy and big corporations.
We will fight for:
A Strong Union Voice for All
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“A Strong Union Voice for ALL”
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America’s economy and democracy are out of balance, with too much power in the hands of corporations, billionaires, and self-serving politicians who have rigged the system against working families. Even in the midst of a pandemic, companies – including hospitals and nursing homes – have tried to silence employees from speaking out about life-threatening working conditions
The rights of working people are fundamental to a healthy society. The opportunity to join a union — no matter where we work — is the best way to raise wages, ensure safe working conditions, create family-sustaining jobs, and begin to fix the rigged economy. When we have good union jobs, our economy and democracy are stronger and our communities thrive.We demand policies that allow all working people the freedom to form a union without employer interference. We will stand with and fight for all working people when they organize a union or other form of worker organization, including healthcare and airport workers and public employees. [/expand]
Higher Wages
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“Higher Wages”
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Economic security is a basic human right. Big corporations use their power to hold down wages and benefits. Instead, corporations should honor workers as people and serve the public interest.
We believe in a worker-led economy that values work and lifts people up. Working families are the engines of the economy and will drive the recovery. We’ll fight for higher minimum wages and for other policies to raise wages.[/expand]
Racial and Immigrant Justice
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“Racial and Immigrant Justice”
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We value, uplift and protect the humanity and human dignity of every person, no exceptions. But for too long, we’ve let a powerful few divide us to keep wages down and pad their own profits. We need to unite across our differences to end racism and build strong, thriving communities where we take care of each other and everyone contributes to their full potential.
We’ll fight for policies that address longstanding economic barriers faced by people of color. We’ll support hardworking immigrants who are contributing to our economy, and oppose anti-immigrant policies that separate families.[/expand]
Affordable, Quality Health Care
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“Affordable, Quality Health Care”
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Now more than ever we know that we are all at risk when any of us lack access to affordable healthcare and paid sick leave to be able to prevent illness, and care for ourselves and our families when we do get sick. We’ll fight to protect the Affordable Care Act, make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible, and pass paid sick and family leave.
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Affordable Housing
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“Affordable Housing”
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Working families must be able to afford their housing in safe, thriving communities, without the fear of being forced to move because of soaring rents and housing prices. We’ll fight for policies that address the rising cost of housing by raising wages and lowering costs.
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A Clean Environment
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“A Clean Environment”
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For all of us to thrive, the planet must thrive. We demand a just transition to an economy where working families and our environment thrive in tandem, with clean energy powered by good union jobs, and adequate support for displaced workers and impacted communities. We’ll fight for policies that transition Colorado to clean energy, with union jobs and support for impacted workers and communities.
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Fair Taxes
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“Fair Taxes”
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To build an economy that works for everyone, we need to increase public investments in education and other vital services and infrastructure. But right now, Wall Street and big corporations are swelling their profits by rigging the tax system. We’ll fight for policies that require the wealthy and corporations to pay their fair share in taxes.
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