AUGUST 7, 2008 - SEIU members in various California locals are speaking out about their union and most of them are not happy with the lack of democracy, the rigging of elections, commission of violence, implementing of gag rules, misuse of funds, leaders telling lies, lack of service from their union, and other issues. EAA has summarized some of their concerns and provided links to the complete statements for EAA members to read. This provides the information to share with your co-workers who may be tempted by the false promises and lies spread by the SEIU organizers.

• “SEIU’s California Member Resource Center Off Mark” 07/26/08: An SEIU Steward in Local 721 evaluates SEIU’s move to a call center to replace business agents in the workplace. SEIU’s new California Resource Center (CRC) handles all California and SEIU 721 alone has 80,000 members, but only23 Member Resource Organizers (MRO) to answer the calls. There are 140 different MOUs in 721 alone and the MRO are not and cannot be familiar with them all. Many of the calls are referred to the Union Stewards for handling and about 20% go to an Advocacy Center whose function is not clear. In short, the members no longer have a labor representative who is assigned to and understands their work place, but must rely on a call center. click here
• “Why is SEIU Trying to Rear Us Apart?” 07/15/08: An SEIU member writes that SEIU is holding “sham” hearings that could undermine the members’ future. Concern is expressed for the lack of democracy within SEIU and for the policy of “pooled voting” in which smaller locals get no real say in the union. A link is provided to an article detailing how an SEIU local can vote 100% against something, but be forced to take it anyway. click here
• “A Taste of 721” 07/15/08 and previous: An SEIU member asks “Brothers and Sisters, do you ever get the feeling that your dues money is being mis-spent? That the level of service we once had is gone? That the people manning the call center, don't know what's going on? That something very wrong has happened to our union? That they have taken away our Business Reps and now expect Stewards to do the work, for free?” Another says that “It's probably practically impossible to get a union rep to come to address our roll calls anymore.“ click here
• “An Act of Desperation” 05/08: A Steward from SEIU local721 writes about SEIU’s power struggle and says that the real issue is democracy within SEIU. He indicates that SEIU International Presdient Andy Stern is making an obvious attempt to silence opposition, a true act of desperation. click here
• “Nurses Will Never Forget SEIU’s Attack on the Labor Notes Conference” 04/12/08: This is actually written by members of the California Nurses Association (CAN) who are fighting SEIU’s tactics. The President of CNA was scheduled to speak and SEIU sent 200-300 thugs to disrupt the conference and prevent her speaking. They talk about the disturbing path of SEIU, the threats and physical intimidation by SEIU, and the silencing of all dissent within SEIU. click here
• “An Open Letter From S.M.A.R.T. Members to Annelle Grajeda” 04/08: Four SEIU Stewards and three other SEIU members write to the appointed president of SEIU local 721. They state that she spreads lies, travels world-wide on members’ dues money, and attacks unions leaders fighting for high standards and democracy within SEIU, among other accusations. click here
• “Stop Rigging Elections for the 2008 SEIU International Convention” 02/25/08: SEIU members write about local 721 President Annelle Grajeda ignoring the SEIU By-Laws and cutting the representation by the old local 347 members. She also eliminated all representation for retirees in violation of the SEIU Constitution and moved the funds from local 347 top local 721 without obtaining the required Board approval. They additionally write about gag rules enacted by local 521 in northern California. These rules prohibit anyone from criticizing actions of the union or from speaking about regarding potential problems, and about elections limiting members from 16 California Counties to a single 2-hour voting window. click here