SEIU 2008: This Is Our Time

SEIU 2008: This Is Our Time

Exhilarating. Contentious. Unifying.
Those were some of the ways members described the SEIU’s just-finished 2008 convention. Delegates representing 2 million workers met in Puerto Rico at a pivotal moment for SEIU. In a presidential election year full of promise, they voted overwhelmingly for a platform that recognizes members’ most urgent needs in the next four years: securing retirement, providing affordable, quality health care, and expanding effective representation for workers who have a union — and those who don’t.

See more photos from San Juan | SEIU 2008 Convention Highlights View a slideshow of convention highlights
SEIU 2008 Convention Resolutions SEIU's 2008 Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions

Renee Pasqua

Special Districts Delegate

I understand and support the direction we’re going in SEIU to build our union. We need cooperation to become stronger in order to fight bad corporations or else in the future it will be the poor and rich and no one else.

Carolyn Lawson

L.A. County Delegate

The convention was an experience in itself and coming out of it I think there will be a lot of change going forward and hopefully it will be good change. This convention was different from the past because there was a lot of participation. There were disagreements when it came down to voting, but we agreed to disagree and I voiced my opinion. There were some good resolutions, like health care and others about bargaining that I have concerns and think we needed more information before voting.

Charley Mims

L.A. City Delegate

I support the program that was laid out, but I thought it was wonderful that we had dissent. We not only have room for differing points of view but we encourage that so we can get ideas out there and have the opportunity to pick the best and implement the ones that are going to work for the members.

Obama Speech Sparks Excitement

"This is our moment, SEIU. This is our time." Barack Obama thrilled SEIU delegates in an intimate talk broadcast live to the convention floor. Click the link above to watch a six-minute video of his speech.

Living With a Disability, and Doing the Job
Only 56% of adult Americans with disabilities are employed, according to the U.S. Census. SEIU 721 members are working to change that. They promoted a resolution to promote the rights of workers with disabilities and increase their access to quality union jobs. READ MORE

721 Leader Steps Up to a New Role
SEIU 721 Interim President Annelle Grajeda will be a voice for public service workers on the international level. READ MORE

What We Believe

Delegates overwhelmingly passed an agenda for change, growth and member service:

Health Care for All: Members and coalitions making 10 million phone calls to Congress after the Nov. 4 election

Ensure Employee Free Choice: A level playing field for workers and employers to rebuild America’s middle class

Secure Retirement: New tools to expand access and guarantee employer contributions and system accountability

Expand Effective Representation: Member Resource Centers to immediately solve job-related problems and engage members in the core activities of our union

Improve Bargaining: Local bargaining councils that keep negotiations where they belong — at the local level — but also leverage our growing strength

Win Quality Public Education: High expectations for students, smaller schools and classes, more resources and training where they are needed

Fix Broken Immigration Laws: Real reform to end the underground economy and give everyone a chance at the American dream

Unite More Workers: Workers organizing workers, and integrated plans for each division, their locals, and the South-Southwest

Read the full list of 2008 SEIU Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions (pdf). Note: This file is a large file and may take a few minutes to load on a slower connection.