SEIU Local 500 Election 2025

Election Committee Summary:

Members of Service Employees International Union, Local 500 (“Local 500” or the “Union”), voted in an election for officers of the Union to begin serving July 1, 2025. The votes were counted on May 15, 2025. After the election, the Election Committee received three appeals of the election results, alleging violations of Election Rules and the Local Constitution.

The Election Committee investigated the appeals. One was filed beyond the ten-day deadline provided by the Local Constitution. The Election Committee found that it had no jurisdiction over the appeal and dismissed it.

Another appeal alleged that a number of candidates had used cover letters which violated the Election Rules for their petitions to become candidates in the election. The Committee’s investigation found that there was no dispute of fact and that no violation had occurred. The Committee dismissed the appeal.        

A third appeal alleged that Oriole Saah, a candidate for Treasurer, violated the Election Rules and Local Constitution in her campaign. The Committee investigated the appeal and found that there was no dispute of fact and that Ms. Saah had violated Election Rules B.1 and B.2 and the Local Constitution, specifically through use of Union and employer property in the campaign, and that her campaign materials were presented in a manner which may have led reasonable voters to believe that she had been endorsed by the Union or an employer.

The Committee issued a Preliminary Report and provided affected parties with notice and an opportunity to respond to the Preliminary Report. The Committee thoroughly reviewed the responses received and, on June 26, 2025, issued a Final Decision and Order and adopted the Preliminary Report as its final report.

In its Final Decision and Order, pursuant to its mandate and authority under Article VIII, Section 3, M of the Local Constitution and the Election Rules, the Committee has set aside the results of the election for Treasurer and ordered a rerun of the Treasurer election. The rerun election will be held in September 2025. Details of the election, including the calendar, will be announced by the Election Committee shortly.

Copies of the Committee’s Final Decision and Order, as well as its Final Report, have been sent to all parties required under the Local Constitution and Election Rules. Members may obtain a copy of the Final Decision and Order, as well as the Final Report, from the Local’s office by appointment.

Final Election Results:

(In alphabetical order by office)

Office of Vice President of the K-12 Division, MCPS Media & Technology Chapter

• Cynthia T. Taylor - IT Systems Specialist at Quince Orchard High School

Office of Vice President of the K-12 Division, MCPS Paraeducator Chapter

• Vicki Brown - Professional Growth Consultant at the Office of Organizational Development

• Erricka Evans - Paraeducator at Cabin Branch Elementary School

• Sally Murek - Paraeducator Program Manager at the Office of Strategic Initiatives

• Noelia Torres - Paraeducator, Special Education at Infants and Toddlers - East County

Office of the Treasurer

The Office of Treasurer will be decided by an election rerun in September of 2025. See summary above.

UNCONTESTED RACES:

The following uncontested candidates have met the eligibility requirements to serve on the newly installed SEIU Local 500 Executive Board, effective July 1, 2025. The candidates listed below have no opposition and are hereby deemed elected in accordance with the SEIU Local 500 Constitution and Bylaws.

Office of the President - Pia Morrison

Office of Executive Vice President - Carlene Butt-Pruitt

Office of Secretary - James Mulhern III

Offices of Vice Presidents, K-12 Division:

MCPS Building Service Chapter - Jenny Amaya Diaz

MCPS Food Service Chapter - Christina Brunner

MCPS Maintenance Chapter - Todd Houser

MCPS Office Employees Chapter - Nathalie Bourdereau and Leshia Murray

MCPS Security Chapter - Josean “Ace” Acevedo-Soto

MCPS Transportation Chapter - Michael A. White

The Election Committee has determined the following vacancies for the SEIU Local 500 Executive Board:

Offices of Vice Presidents of the Higher Education Division:

Full-time Faculty Chapter - (1) vacancy

Graduate Students Chapter - (1) vacancy

Operational & Support Staff Chapter - (1) vacancy

Part-time Faculty Chapter - (2) vacancies

Offices of Vice Presidents of the K-12 Division:

MCPS Building Service Chapter - (1) vacancy

MCPS Transportation Chapter - (1) vacancy

Offices of Vice President of the Early Education Division - (1) vacancy

Offices of Vice President of the Human Services Division - (1) vacancy

Offices of Vice President of the Non-profit Division - (1) vacancy

Position of Trustee - (2) vacancies

Information on how to apply to fill an Executive Board vacancy will be forthcoming.