Empowering Ourselves
Our society places a huge amount of respect and expectations on an individual’s education level. It is well known that a college degree will allow a person to achieve a greater level of economic comfort than that of a person with only a high school diploma.
But sometimes a college education is not obtainable because of a person’s economics or other barriers. However, this does not mean that you cannot gain knowledge that can help you in your daily working life.
If you are reading these words, more than likely you are a member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. Take pride in that fact, but also I am urging you with this column to empower yourself through knowledge.
We have all heard the statement; “Knowledge is Power!” In this column, it is my intent to share some resources with you that will give you knowledge on labor issues that can have a positive effect on you as a member of this union.
The collective bargaining agreement, or contract, is your most important source for information that affects you. Each facility’s contract is different, so make certain that you have your copy and refer to it often.
But where does a person go for even more information on specific things relating to union membership? The internet is a goldmine of information. Utilize this column as a directory of a few internet websites that can be helpful to you.
www.seiuhealthcaremn.org: our local union’s home website. Here you can find information affecting our members, as well as a directory of officers and information regarding upcoming events for our members. In addition, you can read and contribute to this column. Visit it often and take pride in our local.
www.seiu.org: our international’s home webpage. This website is your guide to anything that is happening to our members nationwide. You can learn about work stoppages at other SEIU locations, and any other news that affects us as members of our union. In addition, there is a wonderful blog filled with many articles of importance that may interest you.
www.workdayminnesota.org: many labor unions in our state contribute to this site as a community bulletin board for labor news and issues. Here you can find news on a national and state level that affects us as union workers, as well as links to other union websites. Upcoming education offerings that may be of interest to you are also listed at this site.
www.kclabor.org: this website has a listing of links to other unions in the United States as well as other countries. With hundreds of other unions, look to this site as a one-stop link to other labor organizations. Although it does not list all unions, it does have an extensive list that can be very helpful.
www.cluw.org: the coalition of labor union women is an organization specifically addressing the issues of women union members and families. This organization is a separate union for union members and works toward discussing and finding solutions for common problems specifically affecting working women and families.
www.iww.org: the industrial workers of the world. This union describes itself as a union for ALL workers. A private union that has worked to organize such diverse workplaces as Starbucks Coffee to Sex workers. They have a long and storied history dating back to 1905 and the wobblies. A good website for information and pro-union products available for purchase.
www.laborunionresources.org: a great website for general information that can affect all of us as members. Here you can find substantial information on the rights and responsibilities of shop stewards, as well as legislative action that all workers should participate in order to bring forth positive change.
www.uniondemocracy.com: a website devoted to discussing the legal rights of union members. It is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to advancing the democratic rights of union members. They are not specifically aligned to any one specific union, but are interested in the rights of ALL workers. They also have a resource page with numerous books available for purchase on a wide range of union issues.
www.labornet.org: a general website for global labor news. Many articles on work stoppages and boycotts can be found on this website.
www.union-organizing.com: a site with many links to other unions, and general information for all members and organizers.
These are just a few websites that can offer you information on all things union. Visit other unions’ websites and find out positive things that our other brothers and sisters are doing in the labor movement. Visit your libraries as well for books on specific topics pertaining to union history or subjects of interest. Visit them often and empower yourself with knowledge that can give our union a stronger voice each day through our members increased knowledge of all things labor! As always, brothers and sisters stay strong and united in SEIU pride! Until next week, remember…
Solidarity Today! Solidarity Tomorrow! And Solidarity Always…
In ALL Ways!!!
Mark Freeman
Methodist Hospital