Powerful labor union pumps $150 million into defeating Trump

The Service Employees International Union has begun implementing its plan to defeat President Trump in the November election. The rollout, which quietly began last month, is a $150 million investment on behalf of the 2 million member union. 

The plan is primarily focused on voter engagement in minority communities that typically don’t have high turnout numbers. The campaign will specifically target eight battleground states — Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Special efforts will be made to target minority men in Detroit and Milwaukee. 

The SEIU represents workers from the health care, food service, and janitorial service industries, in addition to local government workers. It is America’s most diverse union, 50% of its members are people of color, and more than half make less than $15 an hour. 

The union’s president, Mary Kay Henry, called this a “make-or-break” moment for the union and argues Trump has been a catastrophe for unions workers.

“He’s systematically unwinding and attacking unions," she said . "We are on fire about the rules being rigged against us and needing toe elect people that are going to stand with workers.” 

However, the union’s political director, Maria Peralta, emphasized that “we don’t want to get too caught up in Trump bashing,” considering how the Trump reelction campaign appears to be having success in winning over some minority voters by touting the strength of the economy.

“Data shows people care about wages, and they care about health care across the board,” Peralta said.

She also said the SEIU will work to highlight the Trump administration policies that have been constructed to weaken labor unions and conditions for working class Americans. 

The has yet to get involved in the Democratic primary battle, but is open to endorsing a candidate in the future.