A History of Standing Up for Workers
Barack Obama has spent his entire career standing up for working families. As a community organizer, an Illinois State Senator, and a U.S. Senator, he’s worked to improve our jobs and our lives.
As a community organizer and a civil rights lawyer, Barack Obama:- Moved to the South Side of Chicago to organize neighborhoods hit hard by steel plant closings. He spent three years setting up job training programs and helping workers find new jobs.
- Saved vital bus lines from being cut so workers could get to their jobs.
- Created after school programs for kids so their parents could support their families and worked with churches to create safer neighborhoods.
- Worked closely with SEIU members to register more than 100,000 new voters and elect pro-working family politicians.
- Championed a lawsuit in Illiois, implementing motor voter legislation to make it easier for working people to become registered voters.
As a State Senator in Illinois, Barack Obama:- Passed legislation allowing thousands of home care workers across the state the freedom to unite with SEIU.
- Won health care and increased wages for home care workers.
- Helped increase Illinois’ minimum wage to the highest in the Midwest.
- Championed health care for more than 150,000 children in Illinois.
- Made child care more affordable for thousands of families.
- Laid the groundwork giving more than 40,000 child care providers across Illinois the freedom to unite with SEIU.
- Led the fight to create a statewide buying club that lowers medication costs for seniors.
- Created the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income working families.
- Fought to stop the privatization of public services in Illinois.
- Increased pension benefits for workers in high risk professions.
- Passed legislation to increase training and standards for security officers.
- Was an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq.
As a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama:
- Helped more than 1000 laid off Maytag workers find new work after their plant closed after 60 years in the same Illinois town.
- Stood with Iowa nurses uniting for a new contract that gives them a voice in the care they provide.
- Passed legislation to limit the influence of corporate lobbyists who try to pass anti-working family legislation.
- Is a leading sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, protecting our freedom to have strong unions.
- Passed legislation providing job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. The legislation was vetoed by President Bush.
