About Local 500

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Service Employees International Union Local 500 represents 18,000 women and men working in child care and education, and in service to communities and the public interest in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

As a part of SEIU’s Public Services Division, SEIU Local 500 represents:
 

  • Montgomery County Public School system employees
  • Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC) employees
  • National Children’s Center(NCC) workers
  • Community Multi-Services, Inc. (CMS) employees
  • Maryland’s family child care providers
  • Workers at Head Start programs in Maryland and Washington, DC
  • Part-time faculty at The George Washington University
  • Part-time faculty at Montgomery College
  • Public Citizen employees
  • United States Student Association (USSA) employees
  • Oxfam America employees


We are passionate about uniting men and women who share our vision of a brighter future for workers, families and communities.  We are building strength to help workers provide the best possible services to their communities and to win a voice in decisions that affect their lives.  

When workers unite with SEIU Local 500, they also build strength to win gains that help ensure a stable, professional workforce:  raises, good health care, pensions and other benefits, safe workplaces, time off when you need it, respect, and adequate staff and resources.


SEIU 500 Officers & Staff

Meet the women and men that make up SEIU Local 500's Executive Board and staff. 

Merle Cuttitta

President, SEIU 500

Merle Cuttitta

Merle Cuttitta is the President of SEIU Local 500, elected in May 2001 and re-elected in 2004 and 2007. Under President Cuttitta’s leadership, SEIU Local 500 has increased its membership through organizing Head Start employees, nonprofits, higher education and mental health care facilities in both Maryland and Washington, DC. Merle Cuttitta was elected to the SEIU International Executive Board in 2004.