doi:10.7916/tkfx-p217Oral history interview with Andrew L. Stern, 2020Stern, Andy, 1950-oral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesLabor leadersLabor movement--United StatesLabor unions and health insurance--United StatesWorking class white people--Political activity--United StatesHealth care reform--United StatesStern, Andy, 1950-Obama, BarackService Employees International UnionUnited States. National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and ReformAndrew Stern, who served as president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) from 1996 to 2010, reflects on his career in the American labor movement. Stern recounts notable events from the period of his service, describes the changing organizing landscape in the context of technological and economic shifts, and outlines SEIU's relationship with the Democratic party and successive presidential administrations. Stern describes his involvement in the 2008 Democratic primary and general elections, providing details about the SEIU endorsement process and SEIU's efforts to center health care reform in the campaign. Stern discusses his engagement with the Obama White House, with particular attention to his role in the assembly of a multi-stakeholder health care policy working group that met at the White House in May 2009, and which might have provided the basis for the administration's health care legislation. Stern also provides insight to the negotiations and political background of the Employee Free Choice Act. Also discussed are Stern's service on the 2010 National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (the Simpson-Bowles Commission), the Obama administration's ability to control Democratic members of Congress, the incorporation of Organizing for America into the Democratic National Committee, the formation of the Change to Win organizing center in 2005, and the importance of unions to the relationship between the Democratic party and the White working class