Washington, D.C.--The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released the following statement of International President Mary Kay Henry on President Obama's "Better Buildings Initiative":

"President Obama's 'Better Buildings Initiative' will make the buildings we work, worship and learn in safer and cleaner and prepare a new workforce to meet the challenges of a 21st century economy. America's working families need smart solutions to America's jobs crisis and our planet's climate crisis.We need to act immediately because we know that the health of our planet and the health of our economy are intertwined.

"Together we can put America back to work, save businesses money, and train our workforce for tomorrow's clean energy jobs--all while helping to save our planet."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.SEIU.org

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