FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 8, 2007
CONTACTS: Stephanie Mueller, 202-256-0833
Scott Mann, 323-333-4850
Presidential Candidate Barack Obama Walks A Day in the Shoes of Oakland Homecare Worker
Oakland—As part of SEIU’s program to ensure that presidential candidates experience firsthand what life is like for working people in America, today Sen. Barack Obama walked a day in the shoes of SEIU member Pauline Beck. His time with her began with an early morning breakfast and continued with Obama joining Beck as she cared for her 86-year-old client in his home.
Beck has been a homecare worker for her client John Thornton for four years. At breakfast, Beck introduced Obama to her daughter, an Oakland school worker, her grandnephew, and her two foster children. The two then traveled to her client’s home to get him out of bed, prepare his breakfast, and help him to get ready to start his day.
“Every day, I provide the care my client needs to remain in the home he’s lived in for more than 40 years,” said Beck. “Without homecare, he wouldn’t even be able to get out of bed in the morning.
“After spending a day with me, I hope Senator Obama sees the energy homecare workers give to their clients, and what it takes a raise a family as a single mom.”
SEIU members are inviting all candidates for president, Democrats and Republicans, to experience firsthand what their lives are like by walking in their shoes. Sen. Edwards, Gov. Richardson, and Sen. Dodd have all walked in SEIU members’ shoes and Sen. Clinton, Sen. Biden and Gov. Huckabee will by the end of the summer.
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With 1.9 million members, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America. Focused on uniting workers in three sectors to improve their lives and the services they provide, SEIU is the largest health care union, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home care; the largest property services union, including building cleaning and security; and the second largest public employee union.