Columbus, Ohio – The Service Employees International Union District 1199 (SEIU District 1199) today announced a media conference call on February 15, 2008 to discuss the union’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race. District 1199 represents 35,000 social service, health care and public sector members in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. The local previously endorsed Senator John Edwards.

“The outcome of this election will decide whether we finally achieve quality, affordable healthcare for everyone, whether we have economic fairness, whether we bring our sons and daughters home from Iraq, and whether workers in America finally have the freedom to form unions without intimidation” said Dave Regan, President, SEIU District 1199. “We intend to mobilize our members in an unprecedented way in support of Senator Barack Obama,” Regan concluded.

SEIU outlined the key reasons for the Obama endorsement:

· This is one of the most important presidential elections workers have faced. Families are struggling, we’re fighting two wars, and a majority of Americans are now worried that their children will be worse off than they are.

· Over the past year, SEIU members have worked harder to change America than in any election in history. For more than a year, there has been an extraordinary field of Democratic candidates. John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, in particular, are great leaders who will continue to build a stronger America.

· Over time, excitement and enthusiasm has built for Barack Obama, for his vision for change, for his appeal to all Americans, and for his plan to create a new American Dream.

· Senator Obama has the experience and the vision we need in our next President.

· This is about more than one election. It’s about building for the next generation of America. Barack Obama is creating a broader and deeper coalition of voters than we’ve seen in generations that will be able to change this country and create a new American Dream.

SEIU members believe this is an historic election. Just as we have made historic change in the labor movement, so will Barack Obama for all of America.

"The overall enthusiasm and excitement that Senator Obama has stirred leads to a belief that the voices of workers will be heard," said Lynn Radcliffe, an SEIU District 1199 member and union Vice President.

For more information, contact Jennifer Farmer, Communications Director, SEIU District 1199, at 614.324.7413.