Today’s announcement by Sen. Arlen Specter to switch parties renews hope to 80,000 working men and women of SEIU in Pennsylvania that have been calling for Change That Works for everyone.

For years, Sen. Specter has voted in the best interest of working families in Pennsylvania, regardless of what his party affiliation has been. He put the needs of Pennsylvania ahead of his party, supporting economic recovery funding and expansion of children’s healthcare. As a strong advocate for healthcare, he has worked hard in recent years to bring federal dollars to Pennsylvania hospitals—many of whom are starved for capital and face chronic workforce shortages. Sen. Specter has also been a strong supporter of workers’ rights and we share many of the same viewpoints on the need for labor law reform.

We look forward to continuing our long history of working with Sen. Specter to create positive change for the working families of Pennsylvania, and hope he will stand with President Obama, Vice-President Biden, the majority of Congress, and an overwhelming number of Americans who support the Employee Free Choice Act.