What does it take to build a union?
Ask SEIU members like Mira Derti and Chong Lee, who have tirelessly made phone calls, knocked on doors and organized meetings to talk to workers without a union about their lives and the difference that forming a union can make.
"I am involved because I believe in our organization. I know that when people participate we can make change. Sometimes it is difficult to see and hear what it is like for people to live on the low wages that the non-union workers get. It is very rewarding to hear how things are improving when they have a union."
-- Mira Derti, Cleaner, SEIU Local 32BJ, New York
"I encourage other caregivers to volunteer. When we speak with other workers--worker to worker--it instills hope and provides them with a vision for a brighter future. When I was talking with unorganized home care workers, there was an open dialogue about the choices and opportunities to improve their lives by forming a union at their worksite."
-- Chong Lee, Home Care Worker, Local 775, Washington
As Congress and the president are poised to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to help more workers unite in unions, SEIU members across the U.S. are getting ready by forming SEIU's National Organizing Corps, a new program to train and engage 10,000 SEIU members in organizing.
The corps is an all-volunteer group of SEIU members of every kind, from janitors and home care workers to nurse assistants and social workers--who will receive training to build stronger unions in every community by helping non-union workers organize.
To learn more about the National Organizing Corps, contact the SEIU local union near you or write organizing.corps@seiu.org.
Hear what volunteer member organizers have to say about their experiences.
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