WASHINGTON, DC - Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement after Lee Saunders was elected President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME):

On behalf of the members, local leaders and officers of SEIU, I want to congratulate Lee Saunders on his election as AFSCME's new President.

"Over the course of his career, Lee has been a tireless advocate for working people. He believes in the value of public service with every fiber of his being and SEIU members will stand with him and AFSCME members to get our country and our economy back on track for working families.

"Lee Saunders succeeds Gerry McEntee, a true giant in the labor movement and dedicated servant to working people. Gerry expanded the way unions strengthen workers' voices on the job and amplified their voices in our politics. As the right wing attacks workers' rights to have an organized voice, we pay tribute to Gerry's legacy by redoubling our efforts to work together with AFSCME to fight these attacks at all levels of government, re-elect President Obama and turn the tide for 99%."

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