As temperatures have plummeted across the country, SEIU Locals have not let their level of engagement fighting for their members freeze--not even a little. Here's a rundown on what's been going on across the country this past week.
CA Safeway Janitors Reach Tentative Deal: More than 450 janitors who work for Safeway stores in California have reached a tentative agreement with janitorial companies that contract with the supermarket chain--ABM, Crystal, Premier and AMS. The deal would allow the SEIU Local 1877 janitors, who've been negotiating since September, to receive a generous boost in pay and be able to maintain their health benefits.
Finish Reform Right: SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams was joined by Ohio Secretary for State Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, State Representatives Marian Harris and Ted Celeste and health care activists at a February 20th rally at the union's Columbus headquarters urging Congress to "finish healthcare reform right." Watch a video of Williams speaking here. More photos here.
Portland Nursing Home Workers Vote to Unite with SEIU: Nearly three months after a majority of workers at the nursing home signed cards supporting the union, workers at Laurelhurst Village Nursing Home voted overwhelmingly to unite with SEIU Local 503. The workers have already begun bargaining for their first contract.
1199SEIU and Memorial Registered Nurses Approve New Three-Year Contract 260 RNs have reached a 3-year agreement with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center that will be in effect until December 2012. Depending on their length of service, covered employees will see annual wage increases ranging from 3.5 to 6.5 percent in the first year, and 2-2.5 percent in years two and three.
Increased Ability for K-12 and Higher Ed to Share Sick Leave: Last week, the Senate approved ESSB 6724, a measure that allows Washington state K-12 employees to share sick leave with state agencies and higher education institutions if their different employers agree to do it. More at SEIU Local 1948's legislative blog here.
Janitors March For Good Jobs, Green Future In MN
Over 200 janitors, environmental and community allies rallied and marched through the Minneapolis skyways on Monday, with hopes of making green cleaning the norm in the Twin Cities.
On Tuesday, protesters held an action outside the Minnesota Bankers Association convention to send a message to Wells Fargo Center and U.S. Bank Plaza, two big banks that continue to rake in billions during the recession while the janitors who clean their buildings struggle to make a living wage. Show your support for Twin Cities janitors now.
Bank of America Security Guards Protest in Charlotte: SEIU Local 32BJ BofA security officers, along with dozens of community leaders and local union members, protested outside of the bank's Charlotte, NC headquarters on Tuesday. "For years, I worked as a security officer at Merrill Lynch," said Neslin McKella-Brown, an officer who lost her job after seven years. "We proudly guarded the bank's property and employees, but when [BofA] took over, dozens of us lost our jobs and more than 100 of us lost our health care coverage." The action was held just days before shareholders are scheduled to arrive for a special meeting on repaying taxpayer bailouts.
Rallying for Reform: In Boston this weekend, members from SEIU and Doctors for America, along with Jobs with Justice, HCAN and MoveOn took to the streets to rally for health reform. The groups marched to the offices of Sen. John Kerry and Sen. Scott Brown's office to have their message heard. Watch footage from the rally here.
Immigration Reform & 2010 Elections: Good Politics, Good Policy Referring to a new report that shows that Latino voters will be decisive in 12 Senate races and 29 House races this November, SEIU Local 32BJ President Mike Fishman warns in Huffington Post that, "Both parties must realize that despite widespread fear-mongering, most Americans still support sensible immigration reform, including efforts to legalize the undocumented workers and restore the rule of law... In this election year, it might just be good politics too."
SEIU 521 Members Donate to Local Foods Bank: In less than four months, SEIU Local 521 members in Monterey County, California collected and donated more than two tons of food to the County Food Bank to help feed local families. County employees brought in 5,500 pounds of food, a large jump from last year's 2,500 pounds donated.
![20100216feature-ARRA]recovery.jpg](http://www.seiu.org/assets_c/2010/02/20100216feature-ARRA]recovery-thumb-110x121-2838.jpg)
Recovery Act One Year Anniversary: Last Wednesday was the one year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To mark the occasion, SEIU released a study today touting the success of the measure that created or saved nearly 2.1 million jobs and critical public services in our communities. Viewing options of report: View it online | Download PDF.
Protesters Flood Illinois Capitol: On Wednesday, thousands of people flooded the Illinois state capitol in Springfield for a protest to remind lawmakers that they must pass a sustainable budget this year that protects the health, education, and well-being of Illinois' citizens. The event was organized by the Responsible Budget Coalition, which includes SEIU and groups such as Voices for Illinois Children, AARP and the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
Quality Jobs at World Renowned Bio-Medical Lab Preserved: Veteran housekeepers and 1199SEIU members at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, New York will keep their jobs thanks to an 11th-hour, 1199SEIU-negotiated deal. Rather than outsource the jobs to a Texas-based janitorial firm, MBL will work with SEIU to match staffing levels to occupancy levels until demand picks up later this year.
Ventura County Employees Ratify Contract: SEIU Local 721 members voted overwhelmingly to approve a one-year contract with Ventura County that will not cut back pay. The contract also allows for the creation of a countywide Labor/Management Committee that will give workers the opportunity to help streamline services and preserve services.
March 1 Deadline Approaches for College Scholarships for SEIU Members: Every year, SEIU awards 52 scholarships to SEIU members and their children, allowing them to pursue their educational goals at accredited colleges, universities, and technical schools. The deadline for all applications is March 1! Please help us spread the word to members.
Member Action Service Center Opens in Michigan: On February 16th, SEIU and Michigan leaders held a reception celebrating the launch of the new Member Action Service Center in Redford, MI. Bringing 250 new jobs to the Detroit region, the Service Center will provide SEIU locals across the country with comprehensive member services including dues processing, and accounting and financial services.
Got news or recent photos/video from the work your SEIU Local has been doing? Share it with us for SEIU's Blog by emailing us at newmedia[at]seiu[dot]org or sending us a message on Twitter @SEIU.
