Whipping votes for health care reform

Nov 05, 2009 - You can bet that insurance companies like UnitedHealth, Humana and CIGNA have a legion of lobbyists talking to Congressional offices right now. We've got to make sure they remember who they were elected to represent - the American people. Help hold politicians accountable by whipping the vote for health care reform today. Read more...

Call the Senate for the Employee Free Choice Act

Nov 04, 2009 - Hundreds of state leaders are in Washington DC today, fighting for the Employee Free Choice Act - so workers can fix our economy from the bottom up. We need to make our voices heard on Capitol Hill. Can you join us in calling your senators right now? Just call 1-866-311-3405 and you'll be connected to your senator's office. Read more...

What's Next?

Oct 30, 2009 - What happened outside the bankers' conference on Tuesday was a reminder of the power of our voices together. For three days, thousands of us from every corner of the country and all walks of life came together to demand change from the Wall Street banks. Together we stood up to the big banks that have done so much harm to our communities; Together we marched through the streets of Chicago, 5,000 strong, forcing the bankers to answer for their actions; Together we showed the world through stories and pictures and words that our voices united can make a difference. Read more...

Anna Burger: "Call Them Out"

Oct 27, 2009 - Standing in front of the American Bankers Association conference in Chicago, Anna Burger led more than 5,000 taxpayers in demanding an end to the greedy Wall Street practices that led to economic meltdown. Watch video of Anna's speech as well as taxpayers delivering a past due invoice to the big banks for the money they've taken from us. Read more...

Marching Toward Change
More than 5,000 march on the ABA

Oct 25, 2009 - Read more...

Don't Wreck the Census

Oct 21, 2009 - Last week, Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and Bob Bennett (R-UT) introduced an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (HR 2847) which would require that the 2010 Census include a question about immigration or citizenship status. Read more...

Crash the Big Banks' Party

Oct 21, 2009 - Did you know you're throwing a party this weekend? Well, you're paying for it but you're not invited. It's the American Bankers Association (ABA) conference in Chicago. The ABA is the lobbying group that gets millions of our tax dollars from America's bailed out banks. Read more...

It's time to deliver

Oct 20, 2009 - Right now, everyone is paying for the cost of our broken health care system. People with "pre-existing conditions" are being denied coverage by insurers. Women are being charged 30-51% more than men for the same health insurance policies. Read more...

Insurance company: "Get sterilized"

Oct 15, 2009 - After having a c-section, Peggy Robertson received a letter. It was from her insurance company, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, and it basically said this: get sterilized, or you won't receive coverage. Read more...

It's not just Ken Lewis...

Oct 15, 2009 - Last week, we sent a letter to the Obama pay czar, signed by over 11,000 taxpayers. We told him to stop payment on Ken Lewis' $53.3 million bailout. But it's not just Ken Lewis getting rich with our money. The papers are all leading today with headlines about America's banks on track to earn record profits and pay out record amounts of bonuses to their top brass. America is still reeling from the financial crisis, but it's business as usual on Wall Street. Next weekend, thousands of taxpayers are going to confront big banks and hold them accountable to us - will you demand they meet with us? Read more...

Stop Puerto Rico's George Bush

Oct 14, 2009 - Tomorrow, over 200,000 people are preparing to take to the streets in a general strike, and Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuño is threatening to charge the protesters with terrorism. Not even Karl Rove and George Bush tried that. Violating the civil rights of your own citizens is unacceptable--ask Congress to hold hearings on Fortuño's anti-American behavior. Read more...

Stop the Ken Lewis Bailout

Oct 07, 2009 - Despite helping to drive us into one of the worst financial meltdowns in history, it's been revealed that Bank of America plans to send Ken Lewis out the door with a $53.3 million pension on top of the hundreds of millions he's already made during his failed tenure as CEO. The Obama administration has appointed a 'pay czar,' Kenneth Feinberg, to make sure our tax dollars aren't being used to pay outrageous earnings to bank CEOs. Will you tell the pay czar to stop payment on the Ken Lewis bailout? Read more...

Tell Congress: Get It Right on Child Nutrition!

Oct 02, 2009 - Click here... Read more...

Insurance CEOs: "We're moving in!"

Oct 01, 2009 - Let's bring the campaign against insurance company abuse to Craigslist - one of the most popular sites on the internet. The idea is simple: post a free ad on Craigslist looking for a room in a CEO mansion and help expose the rampant greed that's forcing families like Stacie's into medical bankruptcy. Read more...

Puerto Rican Workers Fight Back Against Massive Layoffs; Declare Seat of Labor Secretary "Vacant"

Oct 01, 2009 - The second civil act of disobedience in three days protesting the Fortuño Administration's layoffs of 17,000 public employees ended early this afternoon, when Puerto Rican labor leaders from unions including SEIU Local 1996SPT pronounced the Labor Secretary's position "vacant" and declared incumbent Miguel Romero "persona non grata." More details on how Puerto Rican workers and supporters are fighting back against the government's unjust layoffs here.. Read more...

Turn off the Lights at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Sep 30, 2009 - In the last week, three major energy companies have quit the U.S. Chamber. And just today, Nike left its role on the U.S. Chamber's Board. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce needs to be immediately discredited, and your Senators need to hear from you: Sign the petition to the Senate now.. Read more...

Puerto Rican Workers Chain Themselves to Gates of Governor's Mansion

Sep 29, 2009 - Puerto Rican union leaders instituted Camp of Dignity and Shame today in front of La Fortalez, the San Juan home of the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño. ""This is Camp Dignity and we will not move from here," said Robert Pagán, president of SEIU Local 1996SPT , who is one of four union leaders who chained themselves to the gates of the Governor's home in an act of civil disobedience to stand up against the announcement from the government dismissing thousands of public sector employees. Read more...

Where Does Your Senator Stand?

Sep 29, 2009 - the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on an amendment to include a public option in their health care bill. Guess what - one of your Senators sits on the committee. We can't lose this debate. Will you call your Senator? Dial 1-866-311-3405 and urge your Senator to support a public option. Read more...

Last Days to Stop the Deportation of Jorge-Alonso Chehade

Sep 21, 2009 - Jorge-Alonso Chehade came to the U.S. from Peru as a child and is now facing deportation on Friday, Sept. 25. Alonso is the embodiment of the American Dream, but our broken immigration system has prevented him from continuing down his career path after graduation. Alonso has earned the chance to live and work here and call America home--and ICE needs to hear from us that he should be allowed to stay. Sign the petition here. Read more...

Remember The Lunch Ladies?

Sep 18, 2009 - Click here.... Read more...

Budget cuts coincide with "Back to School"

Sep 14, 2009 - Public school staff employees in LA and many other districts across California and across the U.S. are dealing with searing budget cuts, furlough days, crowded classrooms and worst of all, layoffs. In an LA Sentinel op-ed, SEIU Local 99's Executive Director Bill Lloyd considers the predicament of Bell High School night custodian Theresa Aguilar, who is facing a situation all too familiar to the thousand custodial, cafeteria, playground, and other essential classified positions were cut over the summer. Read more...

Domestic violence is a "pre-existing condition"?

Sep 11, 2009 - Insurance companies have used the excuse of "pre-existing conditions" to deny coverage to countless Americans. From cancer patients to the elderly suffering from arthritis, these organizations have padded their profit margins by limiting coverage to patients deemed "high risk" because of their medical condition. Words cannot describe the sheer inhumanity of this claim. Call on Congress to take action now. Read more...

Scare Tactics? They Don't Faze Us.

Sep 10, 2009 - Click here.... Read more...

Scare Tactics? They Don't Faze Us.

Sep 10, 2009 - Click here.View imageView image... Read more...

Obama: This moment calls us to do great things

Sep 09, 2009 - With the President's speech just now, and the movement in Congress over the past 48 hours, it's clear we now have all the pieces in place to move on real health insurance reform. Let's go. We've talked about this for years, we've been debating it for months - now let's get it done. Read more...

School Food Service Workers = Superheroes?

Sep 08, 2009 - In both the worlds of fiction and reality, "lunch ladies" (or as they're professionally known as, school food service workers) are taking a stand to create a better tomorrow. Read more...

Change Your Pic for Health Care

Sep 08, 2009 - Late last week, a simple message began spreading like wildfire on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. It read: "No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick." As a more lasting way to demonstrate your support of health insurance reform online, download our healthcare avatar and change your profile picture in support of health insurance reform. Read more...

Senator Kennedy Walked the Picket Line for Justice for Janitors

Aug 31, 2009 - In 2002, Senator Ted Kennedy walked the picket lines, held a press conference, and rallied public support for 10,000 Massachusetts janitors fighting for their first contract. His dedication and continued presence throughout the long negotiations helped some of Massachusetts hardest-working and most underpaid workers win a livable wage and access to healthcare----even for part-time janitors. Read more...

Across America: Rally for Health Insurance Reform

Aug 27, 2009 - The teabag protesters make a lot of noise - but they don't speak for the majority of Americans. And they certainly don't speak for the 47 million Americans who can't afford health care; or the millions more who are one paycheck away from losing it. Fixing health care is too important to let those Americans get lost in all this back-and-forth. Help us send congress back to Washington with a clear directive on health care reform. Join us at send-off rallies across the country. Read more...

Support an Improved Child Nutrition Act

Aug 24, 2009 - Click here.... Read more...

Progress: Stay Granted for Herta Llusho until Nov. 9

Aug 18, 2009 - Read more...

Cut Through the Lies About Health Care Reform

Aug 13, 2009 - Read more...

Are You With Us For A Guarantee of Quality, Affordable Health Care For All?

Aug 13, 2009 - Read more...

Stop the Violence at Health Care Town Halls

Aug 11, 2009 - Read more...

Take Part in August Health Care Recess Events Across the U.S.

Aug 07, 2009 - Read more...

Friday: Talk with HHS Secretary Sebelius

Aug 06, 2009 - This Friday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is hosting a call with health care activists and SEIU members to discuss what needs to happen in order to win health care reform, and to directly respond to accusations and distortions from opponents. Read more...

In Celebration of President Obama's Birthday this Week...

Aug 04, 2009 - Read more...

Bank of America to Close 10% of its Branches?

Jul 31, 2009 - If reports that BofA intends to close 10% of the bank's branches are true, that means the jobs of up to 5,000 bank employees at hundreds of BofA branches are at risk. If you are a BofA employee, we need you to add your initials to our letter to Ken Lewis. Read more...

Attacking Reform with Insurance Company-Owned Research?

Jul 24, 2009 - This week, the Washington Post revealed that the Lewin Group -- a firm commonly cited by Republican lawmakers as an independent and nonpartisan think tank -- is owned by a health insurance company--and a badly behaving one, at that. Playing politics with health reform is simply unacceptable - and using insurance company-provided "statistics" to do it is just plain wrong. Read more...

Goal: 15,000 people for Majority Signup and the Employee Free Choice Act

Jul 23, 2009 - Since Andy Stern kicked off our campaign this week, more than 10,000 people signed our petition in support of majority signup - but we still need to hear from you. Next week SEIU members will deliver our petition to the senators working on the Employee Free Choice Act. We want at least 15,000 people to show support for majority signup before we go to Congress. Read more...

13,000 Home Care Attendants Vote to Form Union to Improve Services for Seniors, People with Disabilities

Jul 22, 2009 - Placing Missouri on a path toward improved healthcare for thousands of its seniors and people with disabilities, 13,00 home care attendants in Missouri's consumer directed home care program have voted to join the Missouri Home Care Union, a statewide union of home care attendants. Read more...

Tell Congress: We support Majority Signup and the Employee Free Choice Act

Jul 21, 2009 - I wanted to write you about the recent news about the Employee Free Choice Act. The New York Times reported on Friday that the Senate is considering dropping majority signup from the Employee Free Choice Act. I created a petition to Congress for you to show support for majority signup. Can you please add you name? Read more...

This Wednesday: Dr. Dean's Emergency Call with Nurses and Doctors

Jul 20, 2009 - This Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30pm EDT/3:30pm PDT, Dr. Howard Dean is hosting an emergency conference call with nurses and doctors to discuss recent developments on health care reform, and the important role that health care professionals must play. Read more...

Family-Friendly Workplace Policies: Unions Make a Difference

Jul 16, 2009 - A new study demonstrates that when it comes to protecting workers' ability to care for their families, being a member of a union makes a big difference. Companies with more unionized workers are more likely to pay for family health insurance premiums, embrace paid leave and allow the use of personal leave to care for a sick child. Read more...

House Releases Health Care Reform Bill

Jul 14, 2009 - Leaders in the House of Representatives have released their comprehensive plan for reforming health care today. It's a complete, thorough bill that will take some time to comb through and examine all the details. But, the preliminary analyses conclude that it's a huge step toward fixing health care and a major victory for all of us who have been working for quality, affordable health care. Read more...

Maryland Child Care Providers Settle Historic First Contract

Jul 12, 2009 - Five thousand family child care providers who participate in the state's child care subsidy program have settled a historic first contract with the Governor's Office and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The historic contract includes a nearly three-percent increase in the state subsidy, access to decision-making committees, and the creation of a new Training Committee of state officials and child care providers to recommend future improvements. Read more...

What would happen if the U.S. Chamber of Commerce had its way?

Jul 10, 2009 - When CEOs in Washington decide the agenda of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, they seem to forget all about real workers and business owners throughout America. We took a look at what would happen if the U.S. Chamber had its way, and how those policies would impact certain states. SEIU's activists in these states are faxing their senators asking them to stand with working people, not the greedy CEOs of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Read more...

New Report: Nation's Buildings at Risk

Jul 09, 2009 - Click here.... Read more...

Tell Your Senator that E-Verify Expansion is a Big Step Backwards for Immigration Reform

Jul 09, 2009 - E-Verify has reared it's ugly head again. E-verify doesn't do anything to fix our broken immigration system, it exploits it. Call your US Senators and tell them to oppose Sen. Grassley's ant-immigrant and worker amendment to the DHS appropriations bill. Read more...

Sarah Jones: A Right to Care

Jul 08, 2009 - The Associated Press calls her "astounding." People Magazine calls her "amazing." We call her one of the most important and engaging messengers ever to tackle the issue of health care disparities in America. And she's performing in Washington, DC on Thursday, July 9th and St. Paul, MN on July 11th. Read more...

The U.S. Chamber v. Everyone

Jul 07, 2009 - Progressive groups and individuals are targeting the U.S. Chamber for its opposition to pretty much anything that makes life even "a little better for working people." Read more...

July 7th & 8th: National Healthcare Call-In Day

Jul 07, 2009 - As SEIU members, our calls are especially important right now. Industry lobbyists may have deep pockets, but they can't talk about health care the same way we can. Call your member of Congress right now: 1-800-603-SEIU Read more...

Stopping Walter's Deportation Just the Beginning: Ask Congress to Pass the DREAM Act

Jul 06, 2009 - Thanks to DREAMer activism, Walter did not have to spend Independence Day saying goodbye to his family. But we can't stop here--not while 2 million young people who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented immigrant children remain at risk for having their lives in this country cut short and dreams deferred. Read more...

Support Sick Days for Food Service Workers

Jul 06, 2009 - Click here.... Read more...

Support Stronger Standards for Security Officers

Jul 06, 2009 - Click here.... Read more...

Breaking: DHS defers deportation of Walter Lara for one year

Jul 02, 2009 - Today, Walter Lara was granted a one year stay of his deportation. "Today, words cannot express my gratitude to Secretary Janet Napolitano, Senator Bill Nelson, Representatives Corrine Brown, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the thousands of grassroots activists whose unified efforts have given me a second chance to live out my American Dream," said Walter. Read more...

Victory! Deportation Deferred for Walter Lara

Jul 01, 2009 - Today, after 48 hours of intense activism by Congressional leaders, bloggers, and thousands of grassroots activists who made calls and sent letters on Walter Lara's behalf, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to defer 23-year old Lara's scheduled deportation back one year until July 3, 2010. Read more...

Bank of America's Employees: The Other Side of the Financial Crisis

Jul 01, 2009 - According to the Associated Press, Bank of America "encouraged" its employees to "burden consumers with debt and enroll them in high-fee programs." Fed up with these unsavory practices, Bank of America workers are speaking out. Sign our petition in support of protections for bank employees. We'll deliver your petition directly to Members of Congress working on financial reform. Read more...

Meet HAARM: Healthy Americans Against Reforming Medicine

Jun 23, 2009 - Is it just me, or do our opponents sound crazier every day? Take opponents of health care reform; they're spending millions of dollars on TV ads that call the President's plan "socialism," "rationing," and "a government takeover." It sort of makes you wonder - where do these people come up with this stuff? Meet HAARM: Health Americans Against Reforming Medicine - www.haarm.org Read more...

Passage of the DREAM Act Will Allow Next Generation of Leaders to Achieve Their Own American Dream

Jun 23, 2009 - Today, with the U.S. Capitol's Statue of Freedom reaching to the sky behind them, more than 500 students from across the country took part in a symbolic graduation ceremony to urge Congress to support our nation's future leaders by passing the DREAM Act. Read more...

Justice for Janitors Day: 19 Years of Fighting for Justice

Jun 17, 2009 - June 15th has been observed for 19 years in the U.S. as Justice for Janitors Day, a day when janitors and other workers who secure, clean, and maintain office buildings demonstrate for justice. Read more...

Tell the Senate: Listen to Working People, not the Greedy CEOs of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Jun 16, 2009 - Read more...

CNBC Fail: Anchors compare Iran elections to Employee Free Choice Act

Jun 16, 2009 - Yesterday, CNBC's Jim Cramer and Erin Burnett made a ridiculous, irresponsible statement. Cramer and Burnett compared the aftermath of Iran's recent election to what would happen under the Employee Free Choice Act. This is irresponsible journalism at its "finest." Jim Cramer and Erin Burnett need to hear from you now about their reckless reporting. Read more...

Workers March in Portland: "What Do We Want? Fairness!"

Jun 16, 2009 - After numerous songs, slogans, speeches and a march across Portland's Hawthorne Bridge, the message came down to a simple chant rising from Terry D. Schrunk Plaza and echoing off the Portland skyscrapers around it: "What do we want? Fairness! When do we want it? Now!" With that, about 2,500 SEIU Local 503 members and allies concluded the United for Oregon rally against state budget cuts and layoffs last Sunday. Read more...

BofA & Merrill: "Who was holding the shotgun?"

Jun 15, 2009 - There are two storylines that Bank of America has been pushing about its decision to go through with the Merrill Lynch acquisition, even after it became clear that Merrill was facing billions in losses. Did the Fed force BofA into a shotgun wedding, or is it possible that BofA put a shotgun to the head of the broader economy in order to get political and economic cover for a bailout that it needed anyway? Read more...

June 24th: "Lighting the Night" to Eliminate Healthcare Disparities

Jun 10, 2009 - On June 24th, healthcare equity activists from all across the country will meet at Freedom PLaza in Washington, D.C. to "Light the Night" and demand that elected officials pass healthcare reform that truly works for everyone. Read more...

SEIU exposes U.S. Chamber of Commerce's record of fighting common-sense legislation

Jun 10, 2009 - The very same day that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a $100 million campaign to "defend the free market system," SEIU announced a campaign of its own: to expose the Chamber's record of opposing working families and common-sense legislation that would help our economy. Read more...

Send Your Medical Bill to the Hill

Jun 10, 2009 - Read more...

24 Hours of Twitter

Jun 09, 2009 - Thanks to the hard work of the Iowa Change that Works, our 24 hours of health care stories campaign on Twitter was a tremendous success. Read more...

24 Hours of Health Care Tweets to @ChuckGrassley

Jun 08, 2009 - This weekend, Sen. Grassley made news on Twitter yet again with a controversial pair of "tweets" he sent early Sunday morning, criticizing President Obama's call for lawmakers to begin delivering on health care reform while overseas honoring D-Day in France. Read more...

Rick Scott's 30-Minute Lie

May 28, 2009 - Rick Scott has a track record of deceit. Scott's previous ads contained blatantly false statements and misleading excerpts of interviews with health care professionals. Join us in telling NBC not to run this phony "documentary" this Sunday. Read more...

24/7: Watch Health Care Stories from Nebraskans

May 26, 2009 - Read more...

Stop California Home Care Cuts

May 22, 2009 - Two years ago, President Obama walked a day in the shoes of SEIU home care worker Pauline Beck. Today, Pauline and home care workers across California face pay cuts of up to 33% -- from $12.10 an hour down to $8. Gov. Schwarzenegger's belief that solving the state's fiscal problems on the backs of those who take care of the most fragile among us is an absolute disgrace--please write him a message telling him you strongly disagree with his misguided priorities. Read more...

Victory for New York City Security Officers

May 20, 2009 - After months of negotiations with national security contractors Allied Barton and FJC Security Services of Long Island, SEIU Local 32BJ security officers have won new union contracts that provide significant wage increases, employer-paid family health care and benefits for some 3,000 city-contracted security officers over the course of three years. Read more...

The Epic Battle for Employee Free Choice
Heats Up

May 14, 2009 - Read more...

Sign the Pledge for Higher Standards and Safer Communities

May 14, 2009 - Read more...

A Game-Changer: The Plan to Cut Health Care Costs

May 11, 2009 - SEIU has teamed up with disparate groups like the insurance industry and pharmaceutical companies to forge an agreement toward cutting health care costs. All told, we've introduced a plan that will achieve $2 trillion in savings over the next 10 years. Read more...

Why Today is a Game Changer

May 11, 2009 - SEIU is joining a diverse group of organizations at the White House today, unveiling a plan to reduce the cost of health care and jumpstart the drive toward real reform. The groups are teaming up with the Obama administration to curb health care costs through improved efficiency and higher quality of care. Read more...

On National Nurses Week, We're Calling a Code On Our Healthcare System

May 06, 2009 - We've decided today isn't going to be like any Nurses Day before it. This year, you can keep your flowers and candy because this year, RNs are demanding something real. We're calling a code on our broken health care system. Read more...

Tell FOX News: Stop the Swift-Boating of Health Care

May 01, 2009 - Click here to take action.... Read more...

Huge News at Bank of America: Watch the Video

Apr 30, 2009 - Something remarkable happened yesterday. A majority of Bank of America's shareholders voted to oust Ken Lewis as Chairman of the company's board. This is huge. Shareholders cast an unprecedented vote of no confidence on Ken Lewis' leadership at Bank of America. It's the first step to real accountability at the financial giant. Read more...

Ken Lewis Out as Bank of America Chairman

Apr 29, 2009 - Today, in one of the most contentious annual shareholder meetings in Bank of America's (BAC) history, shareholders called for new leadership and greater accountability as 50.3 percent voted in favor of a resolution forcing Chairman Ken Lewis to resign as Chairman of the Board. Read more...

President Obama Speaks on Healthcare Equality

Apr 29, 2009 - Read more...

President Obama Speaks on Healthcare Equality

Apr 29, 2009 - Read more...

Congratulations, Madame Secretary

Apr 28, 2009 - The Senate has confirmed Kathleen Sebelius as the next HHS Secretary. Read more...

Thousands of Taxpayers Taking Action Today at Bank of America Branches Nationwide

Apr 28, 2009 - Read more...

What's Your Health Care Story?

Apr 28, 2009 - Read more...

Washington Child Care Providers Urge Legislators to Support Struggling Families

Apr 27, 2009 - After consulting with members across the state, Washington state family child care providers are urging legislators and the governor to focus the state's $33 million incoming share of federal child care grants to help low-wage families access quality child care in the economic downturn. Read more...

Swine Flu: You Have a Reason to Be Angry

Apr 27, 2009 - The swine flu outbreak has prompted news outlets and bloggers to take a harder look at the Republican obstructionism that's blocked the confirmation of an HHS Secretary. Many noticed that on Sunday, when White House officials briefed the press on the spread of the virus, the official who spoke was not the Health and Human Services Secretary (whose confirmation is stalled in the Senate), but Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security. Read more...

What's the HHS got to do with it?

Apr 27, 2009 - The swine flu outbreak has prompted news outlets and bloggers to take a harder look at the Republican obstructionism that's blocked the confirmation of an HHS Secretary. Many noticed that on Sunday, when White House officials briefed the press on the spread of the virus, the official who spoke was not the Health and Human Services Secretary (whose confirmation is stalled in the Senate), but Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security. Read more...

Tell Bank of America It's Time for Reform

Apr 23, 2009 - While Bank of America's CEO, Ken Lewis, is calling for business as usual, taxpayers are calling for change. On Tuesday, April 28, thousands of taxpayers will tell Bank of America it's time for reform - and for CEO Ken Lewis to be fired. Read more...

Tell the Senate: Vote Immediately on Kathleen Sebelius

Apr 21, 2009 - Remember when Republicans tried to block Hilda Solis? Read more...

1199SEIU Wins Largest Union Victory in Boston-Area Hospital in Two Decades

Apr 14, 2009 - Read more...

Change to Win And AFL-CIO Unveil Unified Immigration Reform Framework

Apr 14, 2009 - Change to Win and the AFL-CIO today unveiled a unified framework for comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The joint announcement and proposal is a critical sign of support for the Administration and Congress to address immigration reform - and to ensure that it remains a priority on the legislative calendar. Read more...

Join the Movement for Healthcare Equality

Apr 09, 2009 - Read more...

Tell Your Senator: Greed Must Go

Apr 09, 2009 - Read more...

Support the Employee Free Choice Act

Apr 08, 2009 - Read more...

"A Down Payment on Fixing Health Care"
Congress Passes President Obama's Budget Plan

Apr 03, 2009 - Read more...

Time to Fire Bank of America's Ken Lewis

Mar 31, 2009 - Read more...

Tell Congress: Pass the President's Budget

Mar 26, 2009 - [banner image] Read more...

Arlen Specter: Don't Cave to Big Business

Mar 25, 2009 - We need Congress to act as swiftly on real economic recovery for working people in America as they did to bail out Wall Street. Senator Specter can bring this change - but he needs to hear from you now. Read more...

Join the Movement for Healthcare Equality

Mar 24, 2009 - Read more...

A Reality Check for AIG

Mar 19, 2009 - We've just returned from our local AIG headquarters here in D.C., where around 130 people stood in the rain to take part in our Take Back the Economy day of action. Demonstrators held signs, sang songs, and presented AIG with a "reality check" worth billions of dollars from the American people. Read more...

Had Enough of Corporate Greed and Irresponsibilty? Join Nationwide Actions Today

Mar 18, 2009 - Read more...

Gallup Poll: Majority of Americans Support the Employee Free Choice Act

Mar 17, 2009 - Read more...

Employee Free Choice Act Introduced in Congress

Mar 10, 2009 - Read more...

Employee Free Choice Act Introduced

Mar 10, 2009 - Today is the day. At 12:15 today, Congress officially introduced the Employee Free Choice Act. This much-needed bill will help our country's economic recovery and help restore the middle class. Watch SEIU President Andy Stern speaking about why America's middle class needs the Employee Free Choice Act. Read more...

New York Nurses Celebrate Landmark Legal Settlement

Mar 09, 2009 - Nurses in Albany, NY reached a settlement in a class action case with Northeast Health, a network which has seven locations throughout the region and provides care for approximately 175,000 people each year. The $1.25 million deal is the first settlement of five national lawsuits aimed at stopping hospitals from allegedly conspiring to depress nurse wages, with similar class-action lawsuits are moving forward in Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, and San Antonio. Read more...

Kathleen Sebelius Ready to Lead Healthcare Reform in 2009

Mar 02, 2009 - Read more...

SEIU's 'Top Choice' is Nominee

Mar 02, 2009 - Moments ago, President Obama announced his nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. SEIU has deployed unprecedented resources and staff toward winning health care reform this year--and we're excited to have a proven advocate for quality, affordable care at the helm of Health and Human Services. Read more...

Obama's Speech: A Health Care Milestone (Video)

Feb 24, 2009 - I just finished watching Obama's address to Congress with a group of SEIU nurses. I won't name names, but some of us have tears in our eyes right now. For us, this is a moment more than a decade in the making. When our movement started, having a president who would speak so honestly and passionately about the need to fix health care was something we dreamt about, but it was hard to imagine. Read more...

Congratulations, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis!

Feb 24, 2009 - Great news comes out of the Senate, where Hilda Solis was just confirmed as President Obama's Secretary of Labor. "For Secretary Solis this is not just another job, but the culmination of a lifetime of action serving as a voice for people who work," said SEIU President Andy Stern following today's bipartisan vote by the U.S. Senate to confirm Hilda Solis' as the next Secretary of Labor. Read more...

Burger King Backs off Opposition to
Employee Free Choice Act

Feb 20, 2009 - Burger King Backs off Opposition to Employee Free Choice Act... Read more...

Change: The Next Steps

Feb 18, 2009 - Thanks in part to your hard work, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law yesterday afternoon. Read more...

Hard-fought wins in new contract for for 95,000 California state workers

Feb 17, 2009 - After more than nine months of hard-fought negotiations during dismal economic times, California's largest employee union SEIU Local 1000 has reached a tentative agreement with the state early on a new contract covering 95,000 state workers. This tentative agreement would increase job security for members, provides savings for the state and improve conditions for every state employee represented by Local 1000. Read more...

What Burger King and Goldman Sachs Are Costing Our Country

Feb 17, 2009 - What Burger King and Goldman Sachs Are Costing Our Country Read more...

Hypocrisy Watch: Bank of America Uses Bailout to Fight Economic Recovery

Feb 13, 2009 - Watch this video about Bank of America using taxpayer money to lobby against the Employee Free Choice Act, then encourage Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to set lobbying restrictions on bailed out banks. Read more...

Call Key Senators to Support the Economic Stimulus Act

Feb 12, 2009 - Read more...

Caregivers Speak Out on Health IT

Feb 10, 2009 - Read more...

Tell the Senate:
Confirm Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor

Feb 06, 2009 - Read more...

Anna Burger Named to President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board

Feb 06, 2009 - Anna Burger, chair of the Change to Win labor coalition and International Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), today was named to President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board in a ceremony at the White House with President Obama. Read more...

NH SEIU Member, Senators Urge Passage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Feb 05, 2009 - Read more...

1.5 Million Voices Heard
Workers Rally on Hill for Employee Free Choice Act

Feb 05, 2009 - Read more...

"Four Million Down, 40 Million to Go"
President Obama signs Children's Health Insurance Plan reauthorization

Jan 29, 2009 - Read more...

Senate Poised to Vote on Children's Health Insurance

Jan 27, 2009 - Read more...

For Aliquippa Caregivers, Relief is On the Way

Jan 27, 2009 - Earlier today, we reported on a group of caregivers in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania who were fighting for weeks worth of unpaid wages from their former employer, Commonwealth Medical Center. State media outlets covered the story throughout the week, including this report... Read more...

Time to Go: Bank of America must fire CEO Ken Lewis (Banner)

Jan 27, 2009 - Read more...

Nurses, Caregivers Left Out in the Cold

Jan 27, 2009 - A story is brewing in southwestern Pennsylvania. There, in a little town called Aliquippa, PA, nurses, aides and other frontline caregivers have been denied weeks in backpay, after their employer--Commonwealth Medical Center--filed for bankruptcy and had its license revoked... Read more...

Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger We Need Real Budget Solutions in California Now

Jan 26, 2009 - On Friday, over 1,000 SEIU members from across California came together to speak out for real solutions to the state's budget crisis. The event kicked off a full-scale effort by SEIU members and those they serve to break the political log-jam that threatens child care providers, seniors, people with disabilities, college students, and families in crisis. Read more...

CA Security Officers win historic victory as Kaiser Permanente replaces irresponsible contractor

Jan 23, 2009 - Security officers who work for Kaiser Permanente medical facilities won a big victory over irresponsible security contractor Inter-Con. -- a company that used threats, intimidation and termination tactics for three years against struggling officers supporting efforts to join a union. Read more...

Take Action: Help Strengthen the Economy Today

Jan 19, 2009 - Read more...

Tell Bank of America: Help Your Workers or Give Back the Bailout

Jan 15, 2009 - Read more...

The First Step
House Passes Children's Health Insurance Plan

Jan 14, 2009 - Read more...

The First Step: House Passes Children's Health Insurance Plan

Jan 14, 2009 - I don't often get emotional when I watch C-SPAN, but I just saw something I've been waiting to see for two years. The U.S. House of Representatives, after receiving hundreds of your phone calls, passed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Read more...

Make Calls for Children's Health Insurance

Jan 13, 2009 - Read more...

Change That Works: Video Chat with Andy Stern (Video Feature)

Jan 08, 2009 - SEIU has set aside $10 million to jumpstart Change That Works campaign efforts and will be mobilizing more than 1,000 members and staff to work full-time in 35 targeted states. Andy Stern joined a live video chat broadcast on Ustream with bloggers and activists to discuss the campaign at 4:00 p.m. yesterday. Read more...

Tune In for Live Video Chat with Andy Stern

Jan 08, 2009 - Join us for our Change That Works campaign roll-out today at 4:00 p.m. EST. It is an opportunity to answer any questions you have for SEIU President Andy Stern, in a live video chat that will air on www.SEIU.org. You can submit your question right now by clicking here. [Read more] Read more...

New Ads for the Employee Free Choice Act

Jan 05, 2009 - Read more...

SEIU's Health Care Discussion

Dec 23, 2008 - Read more...

SEIU Takes Action at McDonald's

Dec 18, 2008 - Read more...

Take Action Now: McDonald's Today at Noon

Dec 18, 2008 - Last week we told you that McDonald's wasn't lovin' free choice at work. Several thousand of you stood up and told the company what you think about their efforts to stop their employees' free choice. Read more...

More than 400 March to Support Workers Struggling for a Voice on the Job

Dec 12, 2008 - As a part of a nationwide campaign to restore the American middle class, more than 400 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) gathered yesterday at the University of Colorado-Aurora campus for a march to highlight the need for health care reform and legislation that will protect workers' rights to have a voice on the job. Read more...

Be a Health Care Leader in Your Community

Dec 10, 2008 - Read more...

Tell McDonald's: Don't Oppose the Employee Free Choice Act

Dec 09, 2008 - Over the weekend news broke that the fast food giant is organizing its store owners to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. McDonald's has reportedly even formed an "internal response team...to actively participate in the opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act." Read more...

Health Care Reform: We're Ready NOW

Dec 08, 2008 - Read more...

SPECIAL REPORT: Haiti Stole My Heart

Dec 01, 2008 - In light of the devastation in Haiti and the suffering of so many people in the aftermath of two hurricanes and two tropical storms, the Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare leaders made a decision to offer support. Two SEIU Healthcare Florida members volunteered to travel to Haiti on a healthcare mission - their stories are truly inspiring. Read more...

Help Take Our Health Care Movement Public

Nov 25, 2008 - Read more...

Historic New Deal for 25,000 Massachusetts Home Care Workers to Improve Jobs; Boost Care

Nov 25, 2008 - Today, a new contract was finalized for 25,000 Massachusetts personal care attendants (PCAs) who will get a 15 percent pay raise, health insurance and paid sick time. Read more...

Tell Congress: We Need More Funding for Our Communities - Now! (Banner)

Nov 24, 2008 - Read more...

Andy Stern Renews Call to Fix Nation's
Broken Health Care System

Nov 20, 2008 - Read more...

SEIU President Andy Stern Addresses Health Care Activists

Nov 19, 2008 - Read more...

Help Andy Stern Bring Your Testimony to Congress to Fix Health Care NOW

Nov 18, 2008 - With pressure building to address the nation's ailing health care system, SEIU International President Andy Stern will offer testimony on the combined impact of the health care and economic crisis on working families and call for comprehensive health care reform at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 19. Read more...

MO Home Care Attendants Help Pass Prop B to Improve Care

Nov 12, 2008 - Missouri personal care attendants joined with people with disabilities, senior citizens, and home care advocates to win approval of a ballot initiative that establishes a Quality Home Care Council that will strengthen the home care system in Missouri and also give attendants the freedom to form a union. Read more...

Join Barack Obama and Support the Employee Free Choice Act

Nov 10, 2008 - Join Barack Obama and Support the Employee Free Choice Act Read more...

Putting Healthcare on the Map

Nov 07, 2008 - This week, we're celebrating. SEIU members, local and International staff across the country knocked on doors and called voters to help get out the vote and move millions of Americans to the polls to bring home victory for Barack Obama. Read more...

Dear SEIU Healthcare Sisters and Brothers

Oct 28, 2008 - With only days to go before Election Day, SEIU Healthcare members are working together in cities and towns all across America to elect Barack Obama as our next president and ensure a pro-working family majority in our next Congress. Read more...

SFO Workers Vote to Authorize Strike

Oct 28, 2008 - Airline service workers at San Francisco International Airport voted overwhelmingly yesterday to authorize a strike at one of the busiest airports in the country. Read more...

Pennsylvania Nurses and Patients One Step Closer

Oct 08, 2008 - It's been seven years in the making, but on Wednesday, state legislation against mandatory overtime for nurses and healthcare workers passed its last hurdle on its way to the Governor's desk. Read more...

$17,000 an Hour for CEO of Biggest Ever Bankruptcy

Sep 25, 2008 - One of the reasons SEIU is organizing and mobilizing support for the Employee Free Choice Act is to restore balance in the workplace. While the imbalance of rights at work is a serious issue of its own, there's an astounding difference in compensation between workers and CEOs. Let's look at CEO pay: while the minimum wage for workers is just $6.55 an hour, the average pay of a CEO is $6,153 an hour. Read more...

Skilled Bus Drivers Keep Kids Safe

Sep 25, 2008 - SEIU, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU)--the largest transportation union in the United Kingdom--formed a transatlantic partnership to hold global transportation companies accountable to employees and passengers wherever they operate. Read more...

Providing Much-Needed Breaks for Caregivers

Sep 25, 2008 - Caring for a loved one with significant developmental disabilities can be a rewarding yet monumental task, one that often provides little or no relief. That's why SEIU joined up with San Francisco Bay area human service agencies to set up a new respite care program for low-income families Read more...

Nurses, Hospital Workers at Six Florida Hospitals Approve Breakthrough Contract Agreements

Sep 25, 2008 - Registered Nurses, technical, professional, clerical, service and other hospital employees united in the SEIU Florida Healthcare Union have voted overwhelmingly to approve first contract agreements with six Florida hospitals affiliated with HCA, a hospital company based in Tennessee. Read more...

Caregivers, Consumers Lose as Supreme Court Rules Against Overtime and Minimum Wage for Home Care Workers

Sep 25, 2008 - The United States Supreme Court disappointed caregivers and the families they assist as it decided June 11th to permit home care agencies to continue to deny payment of the minimum wage and overtime to home care workers. Read more...

Nurses, Healthcare Workers Launch Massive Drive to Inform 1 Million Caregivers in Key States on Obama and McCain Healthcare Plans

Sep 24, 2008 - With women voters poised to play a pivotal role in the presidential election, a unique project of SEIU Healthcare will reach at least 1 million healthcare employees--a largely female workforce --through worker-to-worker communication on the candidates' views on healthcare issues. Read more...

Transforming the Mental Health System in California

Sep 24, 2008 - In 2004, the thousands of SEIU workers in California who assist people diagnosed with mental illnesses rallied in the face of budget shortfalls that were depriving special-needs citizens from getting the assistance they need. Read more...

SEIU Calls On Health Insurance Companies To Join The Health Care Reform Team

Jul 21, 2008 - Michelle Gray, from Springfield, Ohio, works hard every day as a nurse for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Thanks to her union, SEIU District 1199 WKO, she has access to quality health care at an affordable price. Read more...

Janitors Overwhelmingly Approve New Contract with Higher Wages, Improved Access to Family Healthcare, Other Benefits

May 28, 2008 - After a strike of more than 1,000 janitors that impacted Silicon Valley's high-tech giants and spread throughout the Bay Area, janitors won higher wages, improved access to family healthcare and other benefits in a four-year pact covering 6,000 janitors. Read more...

State Employees Association of North Carolina Joins SEIU in Historic Union Vote

May 05, 2008 - On May 3, the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) voted to affiliate with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The SEANC convention included 671 elected delegates representing SEANC's 55,000 state employee members across the state. Nearly 80 percent, or 524 delegates, voted to affiliate with SEIU. Read more...

20,000 More Pennsylvania Child Care Providers to Form Union

Apr 25, 2008 - Today a majority of 20,000 home-based child care providers casting ballots voted to unite for a stronger say in delivering affordable, quality child care by forming their own union with Child Care Providers UNITED (CCP UNITED). Ballots were counted Friday by the American Arbitration Association. Over 95 percent of child care providers casting ballots voted to join CCP UNITED. Read more...

Security Officers Reach Ratified Agreement on Historic Union Contract in Los Angeles

Jan 25, 2008 - SEIU Security Officers United in Los Angeles Local 2006 announced Jan. 26th they have achieved a ratified agreement on their first union contract. The contract will be the best-ever of its kind in the country, raising total compensation--wages and healthcare--by nearly 40 percent for more than 4,000 hard-working Angelenos. Read more...