SEIU District 1199 wants to recognize the newest graduates of our Basic Grievance Chair workshop. Members who participated in this two-day workshop shared their knowledge and gained experience in the preparation and presentation of Grievances.

Just as importantly, we learned how grievances can be used to shift power in the workplace and help build Solidarity in our Chapters. So if there are any Bosses out there who are violating their contract, flaunting Federal, State or Local laws, playing favorites, denying due process or going against their own policies - Look Out!

SEIU District 1199 members visited the West Virginia Capitol in Charleston to meet with legislators and discuss issues facing workers during a lobbying day.

Mary Day a member who works at Princeton ResCare got involved in politics at age eighteen and was excited about the opportunity to meet with her legislators.

"McDowell County, where I live, was a place that seemed to be overlooked." Day said. "It was important to elect the right representatives to get things done."

Day began volunteering on campaigns to help elect legislators who would see that her community was properly represented.

Members attended a legislative session in the House ofDelegates then met with their representatives to discuss issues affecting their jobs and their patients.

During the legislative meetings, members discussed mandatory overtime and how forcing a health care provider to work long shifts could affect patient health. As providers are forced to work shifts as long as 24 hours, fatigue could affect a health care workers ability to provide quality health care.

SEIU District 1199 member, Dwayne Thornton met with his representative to discuss HB 4113, a bill that would stop municipalities from issuing an occupation tax on workers.

Thornton said the meeting was effective and he had a great time talking with legislators. "I gained a lot of knowledge," said Thornton, who would definitely recommend other members get involved in the process. "I can't wait to do it again."

Contained in the February, 2012 edition of Solidarity is the 2012 SEIU Convention Delegation Elections Notice. The notice states the Union will be sending 33 Delegates and 4 Alternates to the 2012 Convention. The correct number of Delegates is 32.

SEIU District 1199 will be sending a delegation of 32 Delegates and 4 Alternates to the 2012 SEIU Convention.

SEIU District 1199 is pleased to announce that our very own President Becky Williams has been elected to serve as a Vice President for SEIU International and will continue to serve as the top leader of SEIU District 1199.

President Williams will expand the voice of our Local, working with SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and the International Executive Board to improve the lives of working people and their families and to achieve greater social and economic justice.

In addition to this new role, President Williams continues to serve as a national leader on the SEIU International Executive Board (IEB) and is a member of IEB Health Care Council, the Midwest Area Leadership Council, and the International Member Strength Committee.

Pursuant to Article X of the By-Laws of SEIU District 1199, the Executive Board of SEIU District 1199 recommends and initiates the adoption of the following amendment to District 1199's By-Laws and directs that it shall be submitted for a vote by the general membership, to be held concurrently with the upcoming election for delegates to the 2012 SEIU International Convention.

Following is the proposed amendment in bold type:

Section 5 (NEW) Delegates to the International Conventions:

a) Delegates and Alternate Delegates to regular and special conventions of the Service Employees International Union shall be elected by vote of the membership at large pursuant to procedures determined by the Executive Board.

b) Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be elected by a plurality of those voting.

c) Any member in good standing may be a candidate for Delegate or Alternate Delegate upon submission, pursuant to procedures determined by the Executive Board, of a nominating petition signed by at least 25 members in good standing.

d) All Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be elected District Wide.

e) The membership shall be informed of the dates and location of the election by notice mailed at least fifteen (15) days prior to the election.

f) Voting shall be by secret ballot.

This is the official notice of the election to be conducted for Delegates to the SEIU Convention which will be held May 29 - 31, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

The following procedure was adopted by the SEIU District 1199 Executive Board, in accordance with the SEIU Constitution, at its meeting on January 13-14, 2012.

SEIU District 1199 will be sending a delegation of 33 Delegates and 4 Alternates. Any member in good standing can be a candidate.

To be placed on the ballot, a member must submit to the designated Election Officer a nominating petition signed by at least 25 members in good standing. Petitions will be made available through the Union's offices, or a member may create her/his own petition by writing the words, "We, the undersigned, nominate _____________ (name) to be a Delegate/Alternate (circle one) to the 2012 SEIU Convention". Candidates will designate whether they are running as Delegate or Alternate. A candidate not so designated will be deemed a Delegate candidate. Petitions containing original signatures must be received by the Election Officer on or before February 24, 2012 at the following address. Fax or electronic copies will NOT be accepted.

The Election Officer must be notified by the February 24, 2012 petition return date of any candidate wishing to run as a slate, and of the designation (name) of the slate.

Elections will take place during the month of March, 2012. All elections will be by secret ballot. Members presenting proper identification may vote at any of the voting sites across the District. Voting times will also be available in the Union's Columbus, Cleveland and Huntington Offices.

Results will be posted on the Union's website at www.seiu1199.org.

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Think Progress reports that it was 50 years ago this week when President John F. Kennedy signed an Executive Order allowing most federal workers to bargain collectively for the first time.

Prof. Joseph McCartin writes in the Los Angeles Times, "For 20 years after Kennedy's order, public sector union rights were not controversial. To the contrary, they enjoyed bipartisan support."

In the past year, public sector workers have become a popular scapegoat for government fiscal problems. Last year, Ohio legislators attempted to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights based on the unfounded claim that it would save the state money. Similar legislation was passed in Wisconsin, while public sector workers in Michigan and Indiana have also endured attacks by legislators.

According to McCartin's figures, the facts don't support that thesis, citing that North Carolina, a state without collective bargaining is projected to have a 10% budget deficit for 2013, compared to the more densely unionized state of New York, which is projected to have a 3.5% deficit. Furthermore, studies show the largest part of the federal deficit increase has come from Bush-era policies such as the wars and tax cuts, as well as the effects of the recession.

Read the entire article at ThinkProgress.org.

Recently, an SEIU District 1199 member was contacted by Union Workers Credit Services offering a number of benefits when she purchased a $37 membership.

Union Workers Credit Services is not affiliated with any labor union and has received several complaints from people who have purchased the membership.

The Better Business Bureau rates Union Workers Credit Services with an "F," citing 325 complaints over the past three years, with two unresolved complaints filed against the business, and seven serious complaints filed against them. Read the Better Business Bureau Report.

Be aware of offers from Union Workers Credit Services and remember to research any company before doing business with them.

If you have questions about whether an offer is affiliated or sponsored by SEIU, please call the Member Action Center at 877-419-SEIU.

If you lack insurance for prescriptions, this no-cost card helps union families save an average of 15% off brand name drugs and 40% off generic prescription drugs. More savings if you use mail-order prescriptions.

Savings are available at over 56,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. Find a Pharmacy Near You.

Union family members - including spouses, domestic partners, children (of any age), parents, aunts and uncles of union members - are eligible for the no-cost prescription discount card. Download your no cost prescription card here.

Tonight, SEIU District 1199 President, Becky Williams, hosted a Tele-Town Hall with members to have a conversation about endorsing a candidate for the 2012 Presidential Election. Nearly 3,000 members participated in the call to discuss the candidates and their position on issues that affect working people. President Becky Williams asked members during the call what the most important issue facing members. After much discussion, 86% of SEIU District 1199 members recommended endorsing Barack Obama in the 2012 election.

Members believe President Obama shares our vision of a nation that invests in good jobs here at home. He has made working families a priority while other leaders sided with corporations and millionaires. For America's working people and those struggling to find work, the choice is clear - President Barack Obama is the right leader for these trying times.