Members in Action

Check out our 2006 photo album.

St. Louis janitors gathered for the 2006 Contract Convention held in the America's Center on October 28th. Setting negotiation goals through individual surveys, the janitors were excited to participate in improving their wages and working conditions. In a message to fellow cleaners, Robert Sears said: "Get up. We have an opportunity now to do something better."

Supporting these janitors in their pursuit of improved wages and working conditions, politicans and labor and community groups signed a pledge of encouragement, committing to "." Among these politicians and labor groups were speakers State Auditor Claire McCaskill, Representative Russ Carnahan, County Executive Charlie Dooley, Mayor Francis Slay and President of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council Robert Soutier. Their support and the janitors' enthusiasm will spur this contract campaign to acheive our negotiation goals in November.

For pictures, click here.

Participating in the National Healthcare Day of Action on August 22nd, SEIU Local 1 members and allies staged healthcare crime scenes in Downtown St. Louis and Clayton. Arriving at buildings whose managers do not use Responsible Contractors, participants exited the vans, drew chalk outlines, taped “Crime Scene—Do Not Cross” ribbon, bullhorned our message and moved to the next building target within five minutes. Covered by Fox 2 and the Liz Brown Show, the action targeted Irresponsible Contractors, which to not provide access to affordable, quality healthcare for their workers.

Nearly 46 million people in the United States have no health insurance. At least 18,000 people die each year because they have no health insurance.

For pictures, click here.

SEIU Local 1 members and staff along with 500 local activists demonstrated to raise the minimum wage outside the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Clayton on June 28th, when President Bush and other Jim Talent supporters gathered to raise Talent campaign funds. At $2,000 per plate, the Talent fundraiser outraged minimum wage activists, whose dedication to increase Missouri’s minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.50 has ensured the issue will be voted on in November.

Earlier this year, SEIU members and other activists gathered over 210,000, signatures to raise the minimum wage in Missouri. More than double the required amount, these signatures will ensure the minimum wage initiative appears on November's ballot. Raising the minimum wage will bring up all of our wages, so don't forget to vote in November!!

For pictures, click here.

A delegation of 19 Unitarian Universalist (UU) clergy visited Enterprise Rent-A-Car executives on June 22nd to address the injustices perpetuated by Boldt Brothers. A social justice component of its national convention in St. Louis, the UU delegation shared information about the low wages and working conditions of Boldt Brothers employees. The Enterprise executives, unaware of the discrepancy between Union and Boldt Brothers wages, promised a follow-up meeting with local UU clergy and Jobs with Justice representatives.

For pictures, click here.