SEIU Convention - Unstoppable progress for working people, racial justice and the environment.
The 26th International Convention started when SEIU President Mary Kay Henry electrified the room with her vision to create the kind of country everyone wants. 'Economic justice, racial justice, immigrant justice, environmental justice- they are all linked. We know this because we live it every day—all these issues affect our lives or the lives of our brothers and sisters in the union. We will keep fighting until all working people in America have a fair shot to live with dignity. And we will win because we are unstoppable!”
Hillary Clinton brought the convention to their feet with a fantastic and encouraging speech which spoke to all the issues that working people care about. She spent time talking to child care workers, and home care workers, and the parents of children, and the daughters and sons of elders who are working their level best to make ends meet in an economy that is no longer working for the majority of people in America. She has heard their stories and she proposed her solutions to help all American workers get ahead. She said to SEIU members, "You’re not only fighting for your members but for all working families and I’m proud to be in the trenches with you!" Hillary Clinton pleadged to fight to raise wages, eqaul pay for women, paid family leave and to stand for the rights of workers to join together in a union.
The attendess were inspired by the huge sucesseses of the SEIU's national 'Fight for 15 and a Union'. This initiative which started with Fast Food workers now includes Airport workers, Cleaners, Security Guards, Homecare and Nursing Home workers and other low-wage workers in healthcare, public service and private companies. This campaign has brought huge wage increases to over 18 million workers, who over the next 5 years, will be earning $15 per hour. This campaign has a global dimension in fast food and airports and also ties into other UNI affiliates' campaigns to achieve a living wage.
SEIU members re-elected Mary Kay Henry as International President. Gerry Hudson, who previously served as Executive Vice President, was elected as International Secretary-Treasurer.Executive Vice Presidents, Valarie Long and Rocio Saenz, were re-elected and five new vice presidents were elected.
Watch Hillary Clinton's full speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c0OrrsvvTw