Pictured, from left to right: Theo Jackson, Mike Kingsbury, Dana Graham, Thurman Johnson, Toni Piechowski, Cheryl Moon, Jerry Thompson, Rebia Mixon.

Nine SEIU members and workers from key states across the country have relocated to Washington, DC for a three-month long stint as a grassroots lobbyist on Capitol Hill.

This week, members are heading to Congressional offices to represent the working people in their state, and impress upon staff the importance of the economic stimulus bill (which is currently in conference). They also praised legislators for passing SCHIP and the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act with cards and personal face-to-face thank you's.

The current cohort of SEIU member lobbyists will be followed by a second wave this summer, continuing through August. Each member will be speaking to lawmakers about creating change that works for their families and communities--affordable healthcare for all, the freedom to form a union, and an economy that works for everyone--not just those at the top.

Each of these people have traveled far from their homes and their families to tell their story. Whether they were fired for trying to form a union, have recently retired, or struggle to afford healthcare for themselves or their families, these workers are sharing their stories so that Members of Congress understand what it's like to be a worker today. We'd like to introduce you to a few of these wonderful people each week, starting with Theo Jackson and Mike Kingsbury.

Mike Kingsbury is an RN hailing from Denver, Colorado and will be one of our regular guest bloggers. He's been an active member of the Nurse Alliance of Colorado for many years and also worked with SEIU on the Obama campaign.

Theo Jackson was a dedicated case manager--and a two-time Employee of the Month--at a substance abuse recovery center in Scotts Valley, CA before being fired for trying to form a union with SEIU Local 521. Theo's wrongful firing case is currently pending before the NLRB, and he is helping his colleagues continue to fight for a first contract. He was one of five workers to share his story last week at the Employee Free Choice Act rally on the Hill to urge Congress to support the legislation.

As our member lobbyists head inside the gilded halls of Congress each day and meet with key legislative staff and attend Hill briefings, hearings and demonstrations, they'll be capturing their experiences on video and in blog posts.

Stay tuned for updates, as our members report to us on what they're hearing about health care, the Employee Free Choice Act and restoring economic strength to Main Street.