Local 500 Was In The House | Board of Ed Hearings

On January 20, more than 150 members of SEIU Local 500 came out to the Montgomery County Board of Education budget hearing to support approving the budget without drastic, damaging cuts. 

A number of Local 500 leaders, from MCPS supporting service staff to child care providers and Montgomery College adjuncts, testified on the need to keep funding in the budget for the essential work Local 500 members do!

> View a slide show of photos from the hearing

> Read Local 500 leader testimony (.pdf)

Montgomery College Part-Timers Ratify First-Ever Contract

On January 19, the Montgomery College Board of Trustees unanimously ratified the first-ever contract between the College and its part-time faculty, represented by SEIU Local 500. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Michael Lin, called the contract historic, and board member Stephen Kaufman said that his fellow board members were very pleased with it.

Following the vote to ratify, copies of the contract were signed by the College President Dr. Hercules Pinkney, SEIU Local 500 President Merle Cuttitta, and members of the part-time faculty bargaining team. The two parties are looking forward a productive, collaborative relationship and have already begun to move Montgomery College toward being an even better place to work and learn!

> View a slide show of photos from the signing

Haiti Relief Initiative--How You Can Help

On Jan. 12, Haiti was hit with the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the area. The quake has devastated the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the rest of the island. A catastrophe of this magnitude requires everybody's help.

SEIU is developing a relief initiative, Help Haiti, to direct donations from members, local unions and the public to effective aid organizations. At the same time, SEIU Healthcare members--nurses, personal care assistants, doctors--are mobilizing to provide direct medical support to the people of Haiti.

Ways you can help:

- Visit Help Haiti to learn more about SEIU's relief initiative.

- Donate to the International Relief Fund of the American Red Cross, online here or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.

- The Red Cross is also allowing mobile donations towards Haiti relief--just text the word HAITI to 90999 to donate $10, and the charge will show up on your next phone bill.

Member Strength Committee Plans Worksite Leader Program

Member-leaders from MCPS, CSAAC, Montgomery College and NCC and representing Maryland child care providers participated in the first-ever Member Strength Committee meeting on January 9, 2010. The committee developed the building blocks of a worksite leader program.

Leaders and staff brainstormed the possible duties, qualities and skills that being a Local 500 worksite leader would require. The committee also discussed training, recognition, recruitment, and selection of worksite leaders. Member Strength Committee Chair Ruth Musicante will give a full report to the Executive Board at its next meeting. The E.Board will then act upon the committee's recommendations.

Fulfill Your College Goals with an SEIU Scholarship

Unions help working families fulfill their dreams in many different ways. At SEIU, this includes yearly college scholarship opportunities.  To help make those dreams become realities, SEIU offers scholarship opportunities for our members and their children.

SEIU awards 52 scholarships that enable SEIU members and their children to pursue their educational goals at accredited colleges, universities, and technical schools.  The 2010-2011 application period for all SEIU Scholarship Programs kicked off November 16.  Please take a moment to see if any of the SEIU Scholarship Programs are right for you and your family.

http://www.seiu.org/memberscholarships