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SEIU Reformers Challenge Union’s Direction at Puerto Rico Convention »

July 1, 2008 | Mark Brenner

Carrying a message of union democracy, reformers left their mark on the 2008 SEIU convention, which took place May 30 to June 4 in Puerto Rico. Opposition to SEIU top leaders’ plans to dramatically restructure the union coalesced around the newly formed caucus SEIU Members for Reform Today (...

After Years of Struggle, California Hotel Workers Make Gains »

July 1, 2008 | Mischa Gaus

The first contract signed June 4 at the Hilton Hotel in Glendale, California is nothing to sneeze at these days—modest raises, health care costs cut in half, and relief from a crushing workload. But its significance for hotel workers struggling to lift standards nationwide is even greater. In...

Raiding: Fighting Over Scraps Leaves Labor Hungry »

July 1, 2008 | David Cohen

The question of raiding — one union convincing members of another union to decertify and join the competitor — has been a hot-button issue once more this year in the labor movement. . . .

Raiding: Workers Should Have the Right To Choose »

July 1, 2008 | Malik Miah

In my 20 years as a mechanic at United Airlines the issue of “raiding” has been tossed around as a smear and provocation by the incumbent union. . . .

Let’s Talk Immigration in the Union »

July 1, 2008 | Tiffany Ten Eyck

Author(s):
Tiffany Ten Eyck


Excerpt:


When New York’s governor announced last year that the state would stop asking people who wanted drivers licenses for proof of citizenship, a firestorm of anger erupted—so hot that the governor rescinded his proposal. . . .


Body:...

Government, Industry Play the Numbers Game on Worker Safety in Meatpacking Plants »

June 13, 2008 | Roger Horowitz

In one of the most dangerous industries in America, injury rates were cut in half in one year. Is this possible? Only if you bear in mind the saying that “figures can lie and liars can figure.” . . .

Day 2 - Anna Burger, Politics and Accountability »

June 8, 2008 | Mark Brenner

Today was Anna Burger's day in the spotlight. Her stump speech was about the 2008 elections, and why politics was so important to SEIU's future. Burger, who heads up Change to Win, is apparently the czar of SEIU's political operations, and it was nice to hear her say, "There is no question that...

Day 1 - Teachers meet with SEIU members »

June 7, 2008 | Mark Brenner

Tonight the Puerto Rican teachers held a "charla" or chat with SEIU members interested in learning more about their struggle, and the conflict between SEIU and their union the FMPR. I couldn't be there but Labor Notes Policy Committee member Steve Early was on the scene. From Steve's reports,...

Day 1 - Time to Vote! (Long Post) »

June 6, 2008 | Mark Brenner

After the division reports, International Executive Vice President Tom Woodruff closed the show, emphasizing a couple of the key pieces of the “Justice for All” program. These include:



Ensuring all locals follow through on constitutional commitment to spend 20 percent of their budgets on...

Day 1 - Organizing Report: Politics & Fuzzy Math »

June 5, 2008 | Mark Brenner

After Andy’s speech the union turned to its bread and butter, the question of organizing the unorganized (who SEIU has determined, through focus groups I guess, we should call not-yet-union workers). Executive Vice President Tom Woodruff ran the show, and spoke about some of the strategies and...

Day 1 - Stern's address: Honestly? »

June 4, 2008 | Mark Brenner

The afternoon started off with Andy Stern’s big speech. You can watch the whole thing on the web and I encourage you check it out and draw your own conclusions about Stern’s vision for the union.

Day 1 - Is SWU Bad for the Public Sector? »

June 4, 2008 | Mark Brenner

Once I got my food I had a really interesting conversation at the lunch table with several rank-and-file SEIU members. I was sitting next to a woman from 1199 New York who remarked that this convention, her fourth one, lacked energy. The man sitting next to her commented on all the security.

Day 1 - Luck of the Lunch Line »

June 4, 2008 | Mark Brenner

Lunch on Day 1 of the SEIU convention was another déjà vu moment. As fates would have it, I got in line behind Gabe Kramer, a senior staffer at 1199 West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. Gabe was part of the crew that tried to barrel their way into the banquet at the Labor Notes conference in April...

Day 1 - Round-Up of the First Morning »

June 3, 2008 | Mark Brenner

After I made it into the guest area on the convention floor I found my way to the press section and settled in. (We’re in the back corner closest to the door if you want to come by and say hello.) I got a little panicky when the convention opened with a video so cheesy it made Tuesdays with...

Day 1 - Sweet Irony »

June 2, 2008 | Mark Brenner

Life sometimes kicks up ironies so fantastic you have to laugh out loud. On opening day of the SEIU convention there were more than I could count. The first one happened less than ten minutes after I got inside the convention center. (Yes, they did scan the barcode on my ID badge, albeit only...

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