In case you missed it....organizing successes, contract victories and recent news from SEIU Locals in New York, California, Missouri, Texas, New Hampshire, Oregon, Maine and Minnesota.
Judge Rules New York's Furloughs May Not Go Forward: A federal judge in New York today granted the SEIU-affiliated Public Employees Federation (PEF) a preliminary injunction preventing Gov. David Paterson from implementing his plan to furlough state employees. Judge Lawrence Kahn's decision recognized the furlough legislation substantially impaired PEF's collective-bargaining agreement with the state and would have caused state workers "irreparable harm."
Jobs Before Deficit: Labor Leaders Fight to Extend Jobless Benefits: This week, SEIU President Mary Kay Henry joined labor and political leaders at a press conference on Capitol Hill to advocate for the extension of jobless benefits. The coalition's message was clear: the extension of jobless benefits is a key measure to fix the broken economy, which has disproportionately affected working families in America.
Protect Your LA Street From Run-Down Foreclosures: Los Angeles recently passed a law--with the help of SEIU--that would allow the city to fine banks $1,000 a day for not keeping up foreclosed properties. With more than 100,000 homes in some stage of foreclosure in the LA area, this will help reduce blight and bring needed revenue to the city to save critical services from being cut. Neighbors can identify foreclosed properties and report homes with serious health and safety problems on SEIU Local 721's new site called www.LAHoodwinked.com. Read the WSJ's news coverage here.
Stadium Workers Vote for a Voice at Work: Stadium workers for the Kansas City Royals have voted for SEIU representation: "After seeing the benefits the other unionized workers receive, the stadium service employees approached the SEIU." At any given Royals home game, SEIU Local 1 represents up to 800 employees at Missouri's Kauffman stadium.
Picking Up Steam in Texas: Hospital workers at Corpus Christi Medical Center-Doctors Regional/HCA in Corpus Christi, Texas voted overwhelmingly--296 to 85 --to unite in SEIU Healthcare Texas in balloting counted on Tuesday evening. "I just feel that it takes a lot of fortitude and courage to say that you deserve a voice," said Gene Desjardins, a licensed vocational nurse at the hospital. "There aren't a lot of unions in Texas, and we're sort of making history here by demanding that things are fair." Since May 18, more than 1,430 workers at 3 HCA hospitals in Texas have voted to form a union with SEIU Healthcare.
Long-awaited Contract Victory for NY Downtown Resident Physicians: After more than four years with no raises, resident physicians at New York Downtown Hospital ratified a contract last week that guarantees them rent protection, bonuses and raises, among other gains. The new contract covering 64 internal medicine and obstetrics/gynecology residents affiliated with CIR/SEIU Healthcare includes this unique gain: major rent protection for the residents' low-cost housing next to the hospital.
New Hampshire State Union Leaders Approve Tentative Deal: In New Hampshire last week, leaders of SEIU Local 1984 voted to accept a tentative agreement for a new contract. The union, which represents over 10,000 public and private sector workers throughout the state, rejected a contract in October containing 19 mandatory furlough days over the next two years. However, this weeks' vote is a definite sign of progress! More about the tentative contract here.
1199SEIU Members at Western NY Nursing Facilities Reach Contract Settlement: 800 nursing home workers at four McGuire facilities in western New York--Autumnview Manor, Garden Gate Manor, North Gate Manor, and Seneca Manor--overwhelmingly ratified new a labor agreement at votes at each of the homes in the past week. The contract is a four-year agreement and includes provisions that ensure no wage cuts or wage givebacks; protect health insurance and pensions, and establish a corporate labor-management committee.
Expanding Oregon Member Resource Center: On May 24 2010, SEIU Local 503 announced the expansion of three new tools for stewards and members: the Member Resource Center, the Grievance Database and the Resource Center for Stewards.
Governors Working With State Employees Critical For Progress: Instead of attacking state workers for short-term political gains, SEIU Local 1989 President Bruce Hodsdon thinks candidates for Governor in Maine and across the country should be working together with state employees "to foster the development of jobs that pay a living wage - rather than laying off hundreds of public employees who provide critical services." Read the complete op-ed in the Bangor Daily News.
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota Announces New Scholarship Program for Under 30 Members: SEIU members under thirty years of age are facing challenges like no other generation since the great Depression. They're struggling with debt, not enough time, family demands, and how to continue their schooling--and SEIU Healthcare MN has decided to help. Download a scholarship application here.
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