Labor groups join to urge Lynch to reconsider 'no' vote on healthcare

[Omaha Steve]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/88019-labor-groups-join-to-urge-lynch-to-reconsider-no-vote-on-healthcare

By Michael O'Brien - 03/20/10 11:08 AM ET

Top labor groups joined forces Saturday to urge Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) to support health reform legislation.

The AFL-CIO and members of the Change to Win coalition, which is associated with the SEIU, wrote Lynch to urge him to reconsider his decision to vote against Democrats' healthcare bill.

"We fully understand your concerns that this bill does not do enough to hold insurance companies accountable, but this bill is an enormous first step in the right direction," the groups wrote to Lynch, a former president of an ironworkers' union in Boston before being elected to Congress.

Lynch, who'd voted to support Democrats' healthcare bill in November, announced he would vote no this time, citing concerns over the process being used to move forward with the health legislation. The move was seen as a surprise switch.

"Congressman, we will not be able to explain to the working women and men
of our union why you voted against their interests," the groups wrote. "We have stood together time and time again and you have made an enormous difference in the lives of our members."

Find a copy of the entire letter and its signatories below the jump.

Letter at link.