The state’s largest healthcare union just announced that they are urging their 350 thousand members to pressure Albany into passing marriage equality by the end of the Legislative session.

“A growing majority of New Yorkers from all political, religious and economic walks of life support marriage equality,” said George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “It’s time for the New York State Legislature to do the same. All committed and loving couples should be allowed to marry whomever they choose. This is not just a legal issue, this is a civil rights issue and we will fight with our sisters and brothers in the LGBT community to pass this important legislation.”

1199 has been a close ally of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has made gay marriage a priority. The union helped him win the race for Attorney General back in 2006. This year, they were major players in the Medicaid redesign team. Bringing them to the table stopped the powerful union from spending millions on ads attacking Cuomo’s budget.

Also the former political director for 1199, Jennifer Cunningham, is now heading up the coordinated effort to get marriage equality passed.

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