SEIU

National Mobilization Continues to Demand End to Multi-Billion Dollar Bonuses at Bailed Out Banks and the Too Big To Fail Doctrine

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.--Today, hundreds of workers, clergy members, community leaders, and other taxpayers converged on the Washington, D.C. headquarters of Goldman Sachs to demand the bank put an end to multi-billion dollar bonuses, reject the Too Big To Fail Doctrine, and use their anticipated $23 billion bonus pool to help families facing foreclosure.

Taxpayers also called on Congress to take immediate action on real financial reform.    » read more »

Washington, DC--Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released the following statement of Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on President Obama's call for a jobs forum in December:

Said Burger, "We are now 22 months into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. In those 22 months we have lost 8.1 million jobs, and 17.5 percent of the workforce - 27.4 million workers - are unemployed, underemployed, or have given up looking for work. The scale of our problems is simply staggering.

"We need swift, bold action to create millions of jobs. In order to build long-term sustainable economic growth, we need a comprehensive approach that deals with our immediate jobs crisis and makes strategic investments to create the jobs that Americans will need in the future.    » read more »

Dobbs No Longer Fanning the Flames of Hate at CNN

November 12, 2009 -- Washington, DC--In response to yesterday's announcement that Lou Dobbs is resigning from his position as anchor on CNN effective immediately, SEIU issued the following statement:

"Today we are seeing what has always made America great--when a group of committed activists join forces, they can change the course of history.

"Night after night, Lou Dobbs abused his position of trust as a "news anchor" at CNN to attack immigrant workers and communities with no attention to facts or balance. His kind of divisive propaganda is harmful to our society, and should have no place on a responsible television network.    » read more »

Courage and Leadership Win Out Over Political Gamesmanship and Insurance Industry Profits

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Andy Stern released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed America's Affordable Health Choices Act:

"Real leadership does not govern out of fear but looks at the obstacles facing our country and pushes for bold solutions that live up to our country's promise. Like the creation of Medicare and Social Security, today's historic passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act by the House of Representatives will be remembered as a pinnacle moment when Congress showed the courage necessary to live up to our American ideals."    » read more »

Calls For Workplace Anti-Discrimination Law

October 29, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President Mary Kay Henry praised President Obama for his signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and called for greater protections for LGBT workers.

"There's a motto we have in the labor movement: 'An Injury to One is An Injury to All,'" said Henry. "For Congress to pass, and the President to sign into law, the first explicit protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the nation's history, is an incredibly important first step in ending the decades of violence and discrimination suffered by the LGBT community.    » read more »

Bill Gives People the Choice of Quality Care They Can Afford

October 29, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Andy Stern released the following statement after the introduction of the America's Affordable Health Choices Act in the House of Representative:

"Today, the House of Representative's introduction of the America's Affordable Health Choices Act made clear that President Obama's challenge to our nation holds true: 'Yes We Can.'

"Yes we can provide quality health insurance that is affordable to 96 percent of the nation.

"Yes we can have a strong public option that drives costs down and gives people the power to choose what is best for their family.    » read more »

Obama Administration Special Pay Master Responds to Requests by Anna Burger, 10,000 Taxpayers to Take Action on Ken Lewis Pay

Sets Precedent for Protecting Americans from CEO Pay Abuse -- Washington, D.C.--The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released a statement from Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger following news that Ken Lewis will not be receiving his 2009 compensation and bonus pay in light of his multimillion-dollar retirement package.    » read more »

Obama Administration Special Pay Master Responds to Requests by Anna Burger, 10,000 Taxpayers to Take Action on Ken Lewis Pay

Sets Precedent for Protecting Americans from CEO Pay Abuse -- Washington, D.C.--The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released a statement from Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger following news that Ken Lewis will not be receiving his 2009 compensation and bonus pay in light of his multimillion-dollar retirement package.    » read more »

October 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) sent a letter to Obama administration pay czar Kenneth Feinberg requesting action to prevent outgoing Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis and executives at other banks receiving taxpayer funds from receiving multimillion-dollar retirement, severance, or compensation packages.    » read more »

Lewis Departure Follows Year-Long SEIU-Sponsored Taxpayer, Bank Worker, Shareholder Revolt and Campaign to Reveal Failed Policies

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC--Following the news of Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis' planned retirement, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) continued its efforts to bring change to the banking industry by releasing a detailed record of Lewis' failed leadership.

"Ken Lewis is the poster boy for a financial industry fueled by reckless lending practices, platinum bonuses, and a disregard for workers and our economy," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger. "The Ken Lewis banking model continues drive up big bank profits while causing millions of Americans to lose their jobs, their homes, and their retirement savings."    » read more »

September 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Andy Stern released the following statement on the Senate Finance Committee's introduction of the America's Healthy Future Act.

"We are closer than ever before in making health insurance reform a reality. Four out of five Congressional committees have drafted, debated, voted on and passed legislation to fix healthcare with strong affordability provisions, shared responsibility -- for individuals and employers -- and the choice of a public option. Now, the Senate Finance Committee is on the verge of taking us one step closer. We believe the Committee should use this process as an opportunity to amend the draft bill, so that it meets this same high standard.    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- Washington, DC--Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released the statement of Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on the anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse. Said Burger:

"When Lehman Brothers fell, they took not just the rest of Wall Street, but all of Main Street, down with them. Yet, one year later, the greedy CEOs who caused the collapse are unremorseful, unrepentant, and virtually unchanged.

"You'd think that the collapse of over 90 banks in one year alone would be a powerful 'lesson learned' for the titans at big financial houses, but on Wall Street, it's back to 'business as usual.'    » read more »

Passage of the DREAM Act will allow next generation of leaders to achieve their own American dream

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC --Today, with the U.S. Capitol's Statue of Freedom reaching to the sky behind them, more than 500 students from across the country took part in a symbolic graduation ceremony to urge Congress to support our nation's future leaders by passing the DREAM Act. The National DREAM Graduation ceremony was hosted by labor organizations like SEIU, education, faith, business, immigrant and civil rights groups through the United We Dream Coalition.    » read more »

Small Biz Owner: On Healthcare, U.S. Chamber Leaves Struggling Main Street Businesses Behind

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's attacks on healthcare reform are hurting small businesses at a time when they're already struggling, say small business owners. On Tuesday, the Chamber announced its opposition to early versions of the healthcare bill, with their harshest words reserved for the public health insurance option and employer responsibility.

Yet at a time when small businesses are crumbling under the weight of rising healthcare costs, the last thing they need is more attacks on legislation that will guarantee small businesses and their employees' access to quality, affordable healthcare.    » read more »

Stern Statement regarding HELP Committee's Affordable Health Choices Act

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union, provided the following statement upon release of the Senate HELP Committee draft of Healthcare Reform legislation:

"To realize the fundamental change that is needed to fix our broken healthcare system, our elected leaders must have courage, passion, and vision. Senator Kennedy, Senator Dodd and HELP Committee members from both sides of the aisle have channeled their courage and passion into a vision of reform that provides Americans with more choices and more affordable healthcare options; including one guaranteed by the government that puts the good of the American people ahead of profits.    » read more »