2012 Members Rally Against Prop 32 at Family Picnic
Hundreds of SEIU 721 Union members and their families gathered for "Assembly and Family Fun Day" on Saturday, October 20, at Whittier Narrows Park to rally for the upcoming election.
Festivities includedface-painting, balloon animals, a bounce house, picnic games, table games, raffles and prizes. Kaiser Permanente, United Healthcare, Dental Health Services, VSP for vision and New York Life manned informational booths for members.
Curtis Davis, who works for the Department of Public Social Services, Pasadena, has worked 22 years for the county, and as a steward since 1998, "I love it!" he said. "Seeing the people, the set-up, all the effort put into the picnic is nice."
SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover, Vice President Linda Dent and Chief of Staff Gilda Valdez spoke to members about the important propositions on the ballot this November.
"We must pass prop 30," said Dent. "It brings revenue into California. Workers have gone four years without a raise and we need a raise! We can make it happen! YES on 30!"
Schoonover added, "Prop 32 will take away the middle class worker's voice. It would set workers back 80 years if it passes."
Valdez addressed the issues members will face in the coming year: "Health Care Services will have to transform its operations. LA County will go into bargaining. Riverside City is heading into negotiations. Tri-county settled the contract in Santa Barbara, but Ventura County is going into negotiations. From November 2012 to November 2013, we will be one busy local. We need a lot of involvement, members, leaders and new leaders. Don't be afraid to step up to the plate if you've never done it before. We need lots of ideas and yours might be the one that leads us in the right direction."
This election is serious. Don't take it for granted! We need every single vote!
I know that 32 is a serious detrement to many of us working people and it must lose, or else a lot of us will end up being homeless. All the people trying to pass 32, like big businesses and the politicians backing them just to make more money for themselves are liars. And so are the people in all of the yes on 32 commercials. There is one weekend left before election day. If there a no on 32 rally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3 in the South Bay area, let me know. I will attend.