Sheet Metal Workers' International Association Launches Radio Ads Targeting Key Senators in Health Care Reform

[cid:image001.gif@01CA2019.B3785740]
                                                                                    Sheet Metal Workers' International Association
                                                                                    1750 New York Avenue, NW
                                                                                    Washington, DC  20006

                                                                                    CONTACT:   Vince Panvini
                                                                                                        202 662-0887

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


On Monday, August 17, 2009 the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) launched a series of radio ads in Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, and Arkansas asking Senators "Which Side Are They On."

The ads focus on Senators Chuck Grassley (IA), Max Baucus (MT), Kent Conrad (ND), and Blanche Lincoln (AR).  The SMWIA and a coalition of Unions representing almost 2 million working Americans will be running these ads through the end of the Congressional August recess.

These hard hitting ads are part of an effort to highlight the truth behind the broken healthcare system the insurance industry is fighting to maintain. The ads urge key Senators to support real healthcare reform.

According to Michael J. Sullivan, General President of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, "Access to health care coverage is a major problem facing millions of American families.  That's why we support a strong public option, an employer mandate and no tax on healthcare benefits."  He continued to add "it is imperative that these Senators serve the American people and not an industry which has thrown millions of Americans into debt and ruin while reaping a 400 percent surge in profits over the last ten years."

Insurance companies and Republican Congressional leaders oppose the public option and employer mandates.  In fact, insurance companies are spending at least $1.4 million dollars per day to kill real healthcare reform.

The Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) serves to protect and raise the living standards of over 150,000 skilled men and women employed throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  Union Sheet Metal Workers are employed in the construction, environmental, manufacturing, railroad and shipyard industries.

The SMWIA is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

Please contact Vince Panvini at vpanvini@smwia.org for copies of the radio ads.

                                                                                                #####