SEIU President Mary Kay Henry
Ninety years ago this month, a group of Chicago flat janitors made a decision to stand up, link arms and bargain with their employers over their wages, their working conditions and improving the lives of their children. It's hard to imagine that those courageous janitors ever imagined that the Building Services International Union they formed in 1921 would represent more than 2.2 million workers just nine decades later.
Today, as we celebrate SEIU's 90th Birthday and we reflect on how we've reached this moment, I am inspired by our members' historic commitment to improving the lives of working people, to holding elected officials accountable and to social justice - quietly inspired by the first members. I believe we have an obligation to meet this moment with the same courage to stand up and link arms as those Chicago flat janitors had some 90 years ago.
And I know that SEIU members, leaders and staff are ready to redouble our efforts and honor the legacy of those Chicago flat janitors because the story of SEIU has always been the story of workers standing up for a better stronger America.
The story of SEIU is the story winning Justice for Janitors in Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, and across the country. It is the story of SEIU members asking politicians to walk a day in their shoes to ensure that politics work for all people. It is the story of SEIU members marching from Selma to Montgomery for civil rights. It is the story of SEIU members protesting Arizona's draconian, anti-immigrant legislation SB1070.
It is the story of an innovative public sector, committed to keeping good jobs and critical services in our communities. It is the story of SEIU members redoubling their efforts to organize workers in the south and the southwest in the fact of anti-worker laws. And it is the story of SEIU members standing up for good, affordable healthcare and winning a voice for over one million healthcare workers.
There is a growing sense in this country that corporations are not paying their fair share while working people have continued to sacrifice decade after decade. And there is a growing frustration with increased income inequality and record corporate profits while unions have lost their ability to collectively bargain.
But as we look toward the future, we are ready to exercise our collective strength to stand up and demand an economy that works for all people. We are prepared to hold our elected officials accountable. And we will continue to march in Selma, Los Angeles, Madison and elsewhere to guarantee justice for all working people.
Over the past 90 years, SEIU members have made the dream of having a voice on the job, working with dignity and being paid fair wages a reality for millions of working people. Now, our obligation is to meet this moment and make that dream a reality for millions more workers and move our country forward.
Learn about our union's history at http://www.seiu.org/anniversary.
90th Anniversary of SEIU: Celebrate the history of our union
