Posted on July 27, 2011 by Deana Rutherford
The House of Representatives is set to vote on Speaker John Boehner’s (R-OH) plan to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. SEIU HCII home care worker Gilda Brown shared her experience of how these cuts would impact some of the most vulnerable people in the country. Read the full story and contact your representatives to tell them how cutting home care and Medicaid funding would hurt all of us for generations to come. (more…)
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Posted on June 30, 2011 by Deana Rutherford
Hundreds of SEIU members joined thousands of Chicagoans on June 14th in a traffic-stopping rally to stand up against corporate greed and tell leaders from more than 80 of the Midwest’s wealthiest corporations to “Give It Back!”
The 18 unions and community organizations taking part in the Stand Up! Chicago campaign spent weeks leading up to the June 14th rally carrying out dozens of actions against the big banks who accept taxpayer bailout money but don’t provide fair loans and corporations who receive huge tax breaks but fail to create good jobs. Students, teachers, workers, the long-term unemployed, and Chicago residents from all walks of life took part in the event to demand that these banks and corporations give back our jobs, our homes, and our schools. (more…)
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Posted on May 17, 2011 by Deana Rutherford
For some members, joining the union’s Purple Brigade is a small step. For others, it’s a leap. Either way, members of the Purple Brigade see it as a necessity to build power for working people.
“I knew about the attacks on working people and I didn’t want to say that I sat back and didn’t get involved. This fight is too important,” said Annie Yarbary, a Decatur home child care provider for 10 years and recent member of the Purple Brigade.
“This is the first time I’ve been head deep in being involved,” said Stephanie Sanderfield, a Springfield home care aide. “I’ve tried to give excuses and not be involved, but when I went to a meeting and heard what they were talking about, a fire ignited in me.”
(more…)
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Posted on May 17, 2011 by Deana Rutherford
Of the many campaigns member organizer Joan Campbell has worked on, she considers organizing Pennsylvania home care workers one of the most rewarding.
“It was great to see home care workers feel the momentum and see the benefits of forming their union,” Joan said.
Joan, a Chicago home care provider with Family Home Services spent several weeks in Pennsylvania. She went door-to-door talking to home care workers about how being united can improve the quality of care to consumers and the quality of their own lives. Joan also transported workers to rallies, participated in lobby days and spoke at press conferences.
Her efforts were rewarded in January when 5,300 home care workers won their union. It was the largest organizing victory in history for SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.
“It was wonderful to know that Joan cared enough to come in bad weather to help workers here get to where we wanted to be,” said Sandi Coates, a home care worker in Lancaster, Pa. “She understood what we were going through and her experience was a big help.”
“The Pennsylvania workers were telling me they want to accomplish what we’ve accomplished in Illinois — the pay, the respect, the quality care, training and more,” Joan said. “They just want to be recognized as home care workers that provide quality care.”
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Posted on May 17, 2011 by Deana Rutherford
More than 1,000 members from SEIU locals and volunteers worked phone banking, door knocking and Election Day poll watching in Chicago elections on Feb. 22nd and April 5th. 
SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana canvassed 15 wards for candidates, with Member Political Organizers (MPOs) doing great work. (more…)
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Posted on May 17, 2011 by Deana Rutherford
Traci Myers with Illinois Sens. Kirk and Durbin
Home care aide Traci Meyers has always known how important it is for home care workers to have a voice in politics. She learned even more during her two month training as a SEIU lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve gone from lobbying our legislators in Springfield to now talking to senators and congressmen in Washington,” said Traci, a home care aide with Addus Healthcare. “I’m preparing myself to help other members so we can be a stronger union.”
Traci’s training at SEIU headquarters teamed her up with a mentor and provided training on the legislative process, how to deliver an effective message to legislators and brainstorming on ideas. Traci and other lobbyists also got lots of on-the-job training.
(more…)
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