"Bernie Sanders has a long history of fighting for working people," said Richard Gulla, President of SEA/SEIU Local 1984. "He shares many of our members' goals and values. He is not afraid to take on Wall Street and will fight against corporate greed and corruption. Bernie supports every worker earning a livable wage allowing them to care for and support their families. He is also respectful and supportive of the collective bargaining process. He understands that many of our young people cannot afford to attend college so they can prepare for the jobs of this century; and that our senior citizens are not being afforded a dignified retirement."

John Hattan, the SEA/SEIU Political Education Committee chairman, stated the board "looked at the issues that mattered most to working people and most members supported today's endorsement as the best decision."