1021 at the 2008 Convention

Thousands of SEIU member delegates overwhelmingly approved every single component of the “Justice for All — Pass it On” program at the International Convention in Puerto Rico. In vote after vote, more than nine-tenths of the delegates stood to show their support.

Last day of the convention!  

Sharleen Steward, VP SEIU Canada, gave the Canadian report.  At their recent convention, SEIU Canada members adopted the Justice for All program.  They are hard at galvanizing members to be leaders in organizing, politics and union leadership.

Sarah Jones – playwright, actor and poet – gave a one-woman performance portraying union women from various ethnic backgrounds who are all fighting the fight to gain respect and better working conditions with the help of SEIU.

Presentations were made and resolutions adopted that addressed support of the Employee Fair Choice Act, which gives workers the right to join a union, and the development of a campaign for a new American dream through education, political activism, money, time and effort to hold politicians accountable and to have the Act become the law of the land.

For me the BIGGEST highlight of the event was the address made to the convention by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and our next President of the United States of America, Senator Barack Obama!  I got chills when his face flashed upon the big screens.  This was history in the making and I was a part of it!  

Senator Obama gave a rousing pro-labor speech and reiterated his commitment to the Employee Free Choice Act.  “What you need is a President who will not choke on the word union,” Sen. Obama said.  He also stated that there needs to be comprehensive immigration reform whereby immigrants are given a path to citizenship.

He also relayed the story of Audry Smith Campbell, who worked for 30 years as a CAN in the Bronx and who suffered from asthma.  Her company did offer healthcare but then one year stopped paying for it.  Audry could no longer afford to buy her much needed medication.  She joined her co-workers in the picket line for 82 straight days to the very day that an asthma attack took her life.  That’s why, Sen. Obama stressed, there is a vital and urgent need for universal healthcare so that no one has to go through what Audry did and be turned away at the emergency room or the pharmacy because they don’t have health insurance or can’t afford the costs.

He had the whole convention hall rocking in thunderous applause and chants of “Obama!” and “Yes We Can, Si Se Puede!” He made us all believe, myself included, that there really is no obstacle that we can’t overcome and that NOW is the time for Change!

Day Two of the Convention:

SEIU now is 2 million members strong due to a number of newly affiliated unions throughout the nation and the world.  

Today was centered on presentations and resolutions on:

• building a permanent workers movement in building political power at all levels of government and holding elected officials accountable
• building a strong global union movement by reaching out and organizing oppressed workers abroad
• committing to advocating affordable quality healthcare for all
• increasing member action and leadership to win for workers
• work to support workers rights in Burma
• support bringing the troops home from Iraq and ensure that they have healthcare and other services
• create one home care local per state to unify workers’ voices to make them a stronger, more efficient union
• adopt the Justice for All platform

Debate was vigorous, heated and passionate as again differing factions within SEIU moved through amendments to include or adopt their own resolutions platforms, like SMART and UHW’s Platform to Win.  Some of their opinions made sense but the will of the majority prevailed and the Justice for All platform and its supporting resolutions and constitutional amendments, in stages, was adopted.

Convention Day 1:

Just to show you that my time here in San Juan is not all sun, sights and parties, here’s my report of Day 1 of the SEIU 2008 Convention:

I was directed to the Union Local Press section to observe and report on the activities.  There were bloggers and reporters from the US, Asia and Canada at the table.

After the singing of the American, Canadian and Puerto Rican national anthems, the delegates were warmly greeted by Anibal Acevedo Villa, Governor of Puerto Rico.  Thirty-two leaders from seventeen countries were at the convention as global guests.

Also, the Global Union for Services (UNI) signed an agreement with ISS, the biggest cleaning company in the world with over 400,000 workers in 50 countries, signed an agreement at the convention to organize and affiliate with SEIU.

Since it was a free day, my roommate, Donna Banks, and I toured Old San Juan. We naturally visited Fort El Morro and Fort San Critobal. El Morro was my favorite as I was able to walk around the old sentry boxes, living quarters and climbed up and down both the circular and triangular staircases. Tip: Wear a good pair of walking shoes and have plenty of water to drink on hand.

After observing an election demonstration at de Armas Plaza, we ate at a local restaurant that my father had highly recommended, El Jibarito. My father was born and raised outside of Ponce, so I grew up eating many Puerto Rican dishes. After lunching on pastele de masa con cerdo con arroz y frijoles (plantain tamale with pork, rice and red beans), I felt like I was home again. Another tip: hotel food is too expensive no matter what your budget. Always ask the staff where’s the best affordable restaurant where the locals go. You’ll never go wrong.

Arrived at the convention.  I was interviewed by SEIU Healthcare about how the high cost of health care and the current California budget crisis has adversely affected my clients in the California Children Services program.  

Received a lot of SEIU “bling” in the way of t-shirts, buttons, and materials. How I’ll be able to pack all of it and still keep under the airline weight limit I’ll never know!

Since I’m a blogger, I received my union press badge. I attended both the SEIU Healthcare and Public Services Divisions assemblies. Despite some contention, both divisions endorsed the 2008 Strategic Unity Plan.

Andy Stern, SEIU International President, gave a rousing speech. His words rang true: We, as SEIU, must be the wind that blows the winds of change not only in our Union but throughout our nation as well.

Other highlights:
Bling, bling and more bling.
Salsa lessons given to delegates. It was fun to watch and participate in!  
Public Services “jam” session. We do have rhythm!
Protest demonstration outside that got a bit violent. Thank God for the policia!

That’s it for now.  Shout out to all the members of the Del Norte Co Chapter SEIU 1021.

Norma Williams, President
DNCEA SEIU 1021

I was nervous and anxious leaving Crescent City.  At first felt like a fish out of water when I saw a group of SEIU delegates greeting each other while we waited at SFO for the flight for Miami.  Felt a little homesick.  I got over that quickly after I was introduced to several delegates.

The flight from SF to Miami and then to San Juan was long and uncomfortable.  Had very little sleep.

Once in San Juan, I was struck with how hot and humid it was.  Caliente!  Loved it!  Hit the pool shortly after I checked in, worked out at the hotel's fitness center and then ended the evening dancing salsa at the hotel bar.

All in all, despite my nerves and initial bout of homesickness, I'm happy to be here with my SEIU brothers and sisters and look forward to the 2008 convention.

Norma Williams, President
Del Norte Chapter SEIU 1021

Welcome to the SEIU 1021 Convention blog, where our member bloggers will provide daily updates from the SEIU 2008 Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Be sure to check back.