Justice Coverage 2008

Post Convention: tired, but excited and satisfied.

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:04:00 GMT

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Sitting at my kitchen table thinking about my experience at the at the 24th SEIU International Convention was a life changing event for me. Now, more than ever, I am committed to working harder, so we can achieve "Justice for all Homecare and Long Term Care workers. I reminded myself, that I was in San Juan, Puerto Rico representing you as a Local 6434 delegate, and put all my attention on the convention.

SEIU pledges to Take Back the Economy.

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:45:00 GMT

ULTCW President Tyrone Freeman and SEIU Healthcare Florida President Monica Russo introduced on Wednesday afternoon SEIU's toughest and largest corporate campaign in the union's history.

Take Back the Economy will kick off this global, anti-private equity campaign by holding actions in 100 cities in 25 countries on July 17 to get the world economy back on track. Activists are fighting to end special treatment and tax breaks that allow billionaires like Henry Kravis to pay a lower tax rate on his vast income than teachers nurses, and other hardworking folks.

Delegates clear the way for unity in California long-term care.

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:06:00 GMT

Resolution 206a to create one long-term care union per state

Convention delegates overwhelmingly voted on Tuesday to pass Resolution 206a, an amended resolution that calls for a single long-term care local union per state.

ULTCW members rejoiced after the contentious debate in which more than 20 ULTCW members lined up at convention microphones to urge voters to support the measure. Members Golden Sizemore, Faye Herald, Susan Escalante and President Tyrone Freeman spoke on behalf of the resolution.

ULTCW supports the idea of uniting all long-term careworkers into one local that focuses solely on long-term care. Because of the unique needs of these workers, they will benefit from a unified voice and members programs dedicated to long-term care.

ULTCW proclaims: "We want Justice for All".

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Truly achieving justice for all.

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:35:00 GMT

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On May 30, more than 150 elected delegates, alternates and guests arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico to attend the 24th International SEIU Convention. We were bussed from the San Juan airport to the Condado Beach Hotel where our President Tyrone Freeman treated us to dinner.

On May 31 we attended the healthcare division day. We, along with many other locals from all over the country including Canada and Puerto Rico, had the opportunity to hear our international president Andy Stern give the following presentation:

“We are now over one million healthcare workers strong!”

Stern announces SEIU is now 2 million strong!.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:12:00 GMT

When he took over as President in 1996, he accepted the challenge to grow stronger, not smaller, Andy Stern told SEIU members at the opening day of the 2008 Convention in Puerto Rico.

Stern addressed members Monday afternoon, introducing the Justice for All plan to grow SEIU larger, building strength on the job, at bargaining table and in politics.

UTLCW members testify on behalf of resolutions to build a stronger California.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:56:00 GMT

More than 15 ULTCW and CUHW members rose at committee meetings on Sunday in support of and opposition to dozens of resolutions to be voted on in the convention. Most importantly, CUHW members Sherry Thomas and Golden Sizemore led their delegation in the Program Committee explaining how resolutions 214 and 215 will help improve long-term care workers' lives.

Divison Day debate livens over 'one long-term care local per state' resolution.

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:26:00 GMT

ULTCW and CUHW members were out in full force on Saturday afternoon as they spoke in favor of Resolution 206 -- a measure that could significantly change for the better the lives of thousands of long-term care workers in California.

The measure calls for only one long-term care local in each state, following in the successes of long-term care locals in Michigan, Oregon and Illinois.

"I'm a homecare worker from Butte County -- one of the less politically friendly areas in California -- and for years we struggled to get a contract over minimum wage," said Golden Sizemore, a homecare worker and California United Homecare Workers member. "It wasn't until we joined SEIU in a statewide local that we won a contract with healthcare benefits."

VIDEO: ULTCW SPEAKS OUT ON ONE LONG-TERM CARE LOCAL

Healthcare Division Day kicks off convention, passing Strategic Unity Plan, Program to Win.

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:31:00 GMT

SEIU Healthcare members on Saturday overwhelming voted in support of SEIU Healthcare's Strategic Unity Plan and Program to Win. In the first day of the convention, members showed early signs of their firm support of the Justice for All platform, designed to unite more workers and grow union strength.

The Strategic Unity Plan seeks to organize 350,000 members over the next for years.

"We don't believe that the way we get to 350,000 is the way we've done it previously which is NLRB elections," said Dave Regan, President of SEIU 1199 WV/KY/OH. "We have to look to employers in the health systems, long-term care industry and emerging healthcare industries across this county."

A new perspective on big growth.

Sat, 31 May 2008 17:40:00 GMT

Sitting in the middle of 1,000 SEIU Healthcare Division Assembly delegates at my first International Convention gave me new perspective on our record growth. Together we now stand at 1.9 million members - growing faster than any other affiliated group of locals in the country.