Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union, is worried about Donald Trump.
SEIU officially endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president in November, but Henry noted in an interview for David Axelrod’s “The Axe Files” to air Thursday that a majority of union members are conservative, and seemingly receptive to Donald Trump’s message.
Now, Henry said SEIU is going into “hyperdrive” to convince its members to tow the union line, according to Politico.
“We’re doing one-on-ones with every one of our members right now in this period, because 64 percent of our members identify as conservative and are much more interested in the Republican debate than the Democratic debate at the moment,” Henry told Axelrod.
“This is a very dangerous moment in our country,” she said. “I think he’s touching a vein of the terrible anxiety that working-class people feel about their current status, but more importantly, how terrified they are for their kids not being able to do as well as they have, never mind doing better.”
In announcing the SEIU’s endorsement for Clinton, Henry said in November the former first lady “has proven she will fight, deliver and win for working families,” according to the far-left Daily Kos.
“SEIU members and working families across America are part of a growing movement to build a better future for their families, and Hillary Clinton will support and stand with them,” Henry said at the time.
SEIU members backing Bernie Sanders told the International Business Times the union’s endorsement of Clinton defied the union’s commitment to the campaign for a $15 minimum wage for certain workers and several other issues.
“It’s going to divide the membership in the face of important campaigns – the fight to raise minimum wages, immigration reform, breaking up the banks, the need to overturn Citizens United,” said Rand Wilson, staffer for the Massachusetts-based SEIU Local 888. “This is the time we need to unite.”
In her interview with Axelrod, Henry likened the current relationship between her members and Donald Trump to former California Gov. Pete Wilson’s support of Proposition 226, an anti-union campaign measure.
“This ad that trump released today is horrific in my mind and reminds me of Pete Wilson in California on Proposition 226,” she said, referring to Trump’s ad about building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and banning Muslims from entering the country.
“But Pete Wilson won,” Axelrod replied, according to Politico.
“I know. I know,” Henry said. “That’s why I think this is a very dangerous political movement in our country.”
Many folks who commented online seem to think the current election is only dangerous for labor unions and their ability to influence politics in America.
“I am a SEIU member and I totally endorse Trump!” Barb Kane posted to Facebook.
“The hard working people that pay all the taxes that support the parasites that don’t contribute understand that only Trump will protect their jobs and country!” Michelle Malloy added.
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