SEIU Local 535

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California SEIU Locals Uniting to Win Starting Jan 2007

The "Unite to Win" restructure plan will start implementation on January 2007. In October 2006, California SEIU members overwhelmingly approved a bold plan that will allow us to build new strength--to not only protect our jobs-- but also win better contracts and improve the services we provide.

See below for more information about the "Unite To Win" plan.

To find out which new local will soon represent you, click here.

UNITE TO WIN RESTRUCTURE PLAN TO BUILD STRONGER LOCAL UNIONS

THE UNITE TO WIN PLAN

President Stern calls for a vote by all affected members

On June 11, the SEIU International Executive Board made a historic decision by approving a new restructure plan for California public sector local unions. SEIU International President Andy Stern has called for a vote by all affected members this fall to approve the restructure plan.

The restructure plan calls for the creation of four new public sector locals to cover the northern, central, southern, and San Diego regions of the state (see map on the right.) Provisional locals will allow all the members to participate in the creation of new internal organizational structures, bylaws, and governance structures representative of all members.

Local 535 Statewide President Annette Jeffries believes the plan will strengthen our local unions. "As the national labor movement dwindles in size and strength, it's important that Union power in California continues to influence the national agenda. California is known as a pioneer on labor issues and a stronghold for workers rights. We need to evolve to build strength in our union to fight the ongoing attacks on our livelihood," said Jeffries

Multi-local union meetings have been set up throughout California. Click here for the listing of the regional meetings.

THE UNITE TO WIN PLAN
The new plan will significantly enhance the ability of our 600,000 members in California to:

Build greater unity by creating stronger regional and statewide local unions and industry councils which will help focus our resources and strategies on winning better contracts and improving services in our communities.
Develop greater political strength to elect public officials and hold them accountable on issues important to SEIU members and their families.
Unite more workers into our union to give everyone more strength to negotiate good contracts and stand up for quality services.
Benefit from increased and improved communications so members stay informed and can participate in building a stronger union that consistently wins for our families and our future.
Strengthen members' voices in the workplace to solve problems, raise workplace standards, and improve their working lives.

The new provisional local in the northern region would include most of Local 535 members serviced out of our Oakland and Sacramento offices as well as most members from Locals 614, 616, 707, 790, 949, 1280, 1292, 4988, and public workers of UHW (United Healthcare Workers West, formerly SEIU Local 250).

The new provisional local in the north central region would include most of Local 535 members serviced out of our San Jose and Fresno offices as well as most members from Locals 415, 700, 715 and 817.

The new provisional local in the south central region would include Local 535 members serviced out of our Pasadena and Santa Barbara offices (excluding Ventura County Community College District) as well as most members from Locals 347, 620, 660, 998, and 1997.

The new southern regional provisional local would include Local 535 members serviced out of our San Diego office and most members of Local 2028 as well as some members from Local 700.

Local 535 Kaiser members will become part of UHW, Catholic Cemetery workers will become part of Local 265, and Ventura County Community College District workers will become part of Local 99.

President Stern has appointed Local 535's Executive Director Damita Davis-Howard to assist the nine locals in the northern region, SEIU 715's Secretary-Treasurer Kristy Sermersheim, to assist with the north central locals, SEIU 660's General Manager Annelle Grajeda to assist with the south central locals, and SEIU 2028's Executive Director Ben Monterroso to assist with the local in the San Diego area.

Executive Director Damita Davis-Howard encourages members to ask questions, attend meetings, and talk to your field staff, stewards, executive board delegates, and co-workers about the "Unite to Win" plan.
For the latest information check www.seiu535.org or SEIU's website: www.caunitetowin.org. In addition, we have set up an e-mail address for your questions: unitetowin@seiu535.org.

For a detailed list of the proposed jurisdictional plan go to: www.caunitetowin.org .