| |
September
5 & 6, 2008:The UHW-w Leadership Conference in San Jose, CA marshalls
union members in a fight for the union's mission and principles. |
| |
The
UHW-w Leadership Conference is always educational, inspiring and fun,
but this year, a fight against SEIU to restore union democracy added
a more militant tone to the event. SEIU's response to opposition from
member unions is more typical of a dictatorship than a democracy:
SEIU is threatening to place UHW-w in trusteeship, dismiss our elected
union officials, and appoint SEIU cronies in their stead. |
| |
 |
| |
UHW-w
members gathered outside the San Jose Convention Center for a march
to South Hall. An estimated 2,000 members attended the conference
with many more arriving by bus on September 6 to march in support
of UHW-w. Our bus was one of two from Sacramento, filled with mostly
Hmong Long Term Care workers. They would be merged out of our union
(the one they voted to be in) and into another union if SEIU's plans
succeed.
|
| |
 |
| |
SEIU
Local 1000 members Donna Snodgrass (CSEA V.P.) and Ed Perez (a leader
of S.M.A.R.T.) join UHW-w members at the Convention Center. The
Local 1000 members represent a growing movement within various SEIU
unions to bring democratic reform to SEIU.
S.M.A.R.T. (SEIU
Member Activists For Reform Today) can be reached at http://www.reformseiu.org |
| |
 |
| |
"This
is what you call solidarity!" UHW-w member Beverly Griffith rallying
union activists before the march through the streets to South Hall.
|
| |
 |
| |
UHW-w
marchers filled the streets for blocks. The signs reading "Healthcare
Workers: Stronger Together" are a response to SEIU President
Andy Stern's plan to separate Long Term Healthcare workers from
Hospital Healthcare workers and merge the various Long Term Care
locals into one SEIU Long Term Care workers union.
UHW-w believes
all healthcare workers will be stronger in one big healthcare workers
union.
|
| |
 |
| |
Nick
Stanley, UHW-w shop steward and MGH employee, prepares for the march
to South Hall with food, water, and a page of inspiring slogans. |
| |
 |
| |
"Our
union is at a critical moment: SEIU wants to control our union and
make deals with employers. We have been working for decades to join
75,000 workers in bargaining a contract together. Our union power
comes not from collecting dues or from personal relationships with
employer CEO's, but from being united! We need to get involved more
than ever before. Go back to your facilities and organize!"
-- Jorge Rodriquez, UHW-w Executive VP. |
|