An Accounting of Oneself

Many times in our lives, we take an oath or say a pledge. When we get married, we say our marriage vows. When we join a group or organization, we might take an oath specific to that group. We also may say the Pledge of Allegiance. All of these affirmations or oaths are very important, but do we really pay attention to the words and take their meanings to heart.

How would it be if the President or a person entering into the military service stated the oath (the same oath applies to both soldiers and elected officials), and did not take seriously the level of responsibility contained in the words that were spoken?

As my biography shows, I have been a member of many unions. Each union has had a different oath given to new members, but each oath has expectations attached to them. Our union, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), is no different. We also have an oath that is given to each new member. However, most members have not been given the membership oath.

The oath is given to members who have not sworn in at the general membership meeting, which is held at 7:30 on the third Thursday of a month at the union hall or out state Minnesota. Check out the 2010 membership meeting schedule here.
It is an honor to stand before your fellow brothers and sisters and become a full member of this organization. However, no member should take for granted the words that are contained in our oath, and the expectations that go along with these words.

Our union’s oath is as follows:

“I, (your name), pledge upon my honor that I will faithfully observe the Constitution and Bylaws of this Union and of the Service Employees International Union.

“I agree to educate myself and the other members in the history of the labor movement and to defend to the best of my ability the principles of trade unionism, and I will not knowingly wrong a member or see a member wronged if it is my power to prevent it.”

So what can each member do to live up to this obligation? It is actually not very difficult at all. In this column I will try to give a few examples of things each of us can do to help ourselves, and each other to live up to the words contained in our oath.

By knowing and understanding the contract that is in place at your worksite, you can empower yourself. In addition, if you can help a fellow member with understanding the importance and power that our collective bargaining agreements possess, you have brought into play educating yourself and our other members.

Reading books on history can be entertaining as well as enlightening. There have been many books written on many important events in the history of labor in this country. Another alternative can be watching films. There are many films that have been made that deal in part or exclusively about important aspects of the labor movement in this nation as well as in other parts of the world. Whether factual or fictional, most are very entertaining. In the future, I hope to start sharing titles of films that deal with subjects pertaining to our movement and labor history in our country, so that members can watch a film and empower themselves with some valuable information as well.

The last sentence deals exclusively with protecting each other and ourselves each day. This deals exclusively with understanding the contract, grievance procedures as well as unfair labor practices. Know your rights and enforce them each day. It is up to all of us to realize that we are all in this together which makes us a very strong group that should be respected and admired by our employers as well as our communities.

The oath of SEIU is a very powerful and precious statement that each member should understand and take seriously each day. By following the words of this oath, we will move our union forward and all of us as members will benefit. If you have not had the oath administered to you, make plans to attend a general membership meeting and state with pride that you are a full and proud member of SEIU and SEIU Healthcare Minnesota!

Please continue reading the column, and tell your fellow brothers and sisters about it. My goal in writing is not only to entertain but also to help educate all of us and make our union and our communities all the better for it.

Until next time brothers and sisters remain proud members of SEIU, and as always…


Solidarity Today! Solidarity Tomorrow! And Solidarity Always!...

In ALL Ways!!!



Mark Freeman
Methodist Hospital