Download Member Strength - SEIU Local 503

SEIU Local 503 & SEIU Local 49
J O I N T C O O R D I N AT I N G C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G
Saturday, December 7, 2013
MEMBER STRENGTH COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Mike Scott, Annie Smith, Julio Pina, Austin Folnagy, Alice Pangburn,
Ethan Picman, Lisa Stuart, Catherine Stearns, Judy Byers, Julie Markiewicz, Vici Leach, Tara
McElligot, Joe Melton, Maria Balandran, Adela Maza. Carrie Clark, Art Lee
COMMITTEE PROCESS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• 
We share common vision and values
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We are more alike than we are different – We have seen that we have
• 
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many similarities between our locals.
By learning from each other we improve – There was interest in learning
more about Local 49 Steward Accountability Program, interest in learning more
about sharing and training best practices and conducting more joint trainings.
Don’t fix what’s not broken – The vast majority of aspects around member
strength and leadership are working well, we should maintain this, and that there
are a few areas we should challenge ourselves to do more given the fights we have
before us.
GUIDING PRINICPLES
Our members take action – We share a strong culture of rank and file member action
and leadership to build worksite/ bargaining, industry/ new organizing and the political
power of our Union
Recruit Leaders Through Innovating – Given the fights facing working people, we
recommend continuing to challenge ourselves to find new and innovative ways—including
new technologies—to recruit more leaders and activists, and to develop leaders through
trainings, structured mentorship, successorship planning and doing the campaign work of
our Union
Member Driven Union – We want to strive and continue to be a member driven union
where members voices are valued and not lost in a new, larger union
Membership Strength Committee
KEY TAKEAWAYS
•  We are more alike than we are different – We have
seen that we have many similarities between our locals.
•  By learning from each other we improve – There was
interest in learning more about Local 49 Steward Accountability
Program, interest in learning more about sharing and training best
practices and conducting more joint trainings.
•  Don’t fix what’s not broken – The vast majority of aspects
around member strength and leadership are working well, we should
maintain this, and that there are a few areas we should challenge
ourselves to do more given the fights we have before us.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
•  Bargaining Team Elections Remain — All Bargaining Teams should
continue to be elected by the worksites/workgroups they represent as is
currently to allow for differences in bargaining units and needs of those
members.
•  Maintain Worksite/ Industry/ Geography Structures — Maintaining
existing structures that allow for leadership and activist roles that make sense for
a given worksite, industry or geography. We recognize the importance of having
commonalities for union-wide trainings, conferences/ events, our political work
and continuing to instill the importance of building strength in our own worksites
and communities.
•  Continue Our Committee Work — Committees will continue to be a way
for members of our Union to get involved and pursue common interests.
Committees will serve as a foundation and will be formed, integrated, and sunset
as determined by the appropriate decision making body.
Membership Strength Committee
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
•  Maintain Union Identity — Continue to honor and maintain
worksite/sub-local identities while growing an all for one, one for all
culture.
•  Steward Accountability — Stewards are advocates and the
backbone of our Union.
•  Steward Elections – All Stewards should continue to be elected as
is currently to allow for differences in bargaining units and needs of
those members
•  Build Upon Work Done With Member Resource Centers —
We recommend continuing to explore MRC and contract specialist
models that address the needs of all members.
Membership Strength Committee
CONSIDERATIONS
Structures – Why did you keep so much (bargaining
teams, stewards, etc.) the same?
Membership Strength Committee