ELECTION UPDATE: Members overwhelmingly voted to approve changes to SEIU Local 99’s Constitution and Bylaws. Ballots were counted on November 17, 2017 and 95% of members casting eligible votes said “yes” for changes that will strengthen our union. Our Union’s Executive Board will be meeting to begin implementing the changes. Please scroll to the chart below for a summary of the changes.
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As members of SEIU Local 99, we’ve protected and expanded health care benefits for thousands of families. We’ve secured wage increases. And we have basic benefits that most workers do not enjoy – like paid sick leave and vacation days, the right to negotiate over layoffs, and a fair process to protect us against unjust discipline.
Make no mistake, employers did not give us any of these things. They were won because SEIU Local 99 members negotiated contracts, took action, and stood united. And to continue to win more, we need to continue to stand Union Strong.
There are two things you can do right now to build a stronger union to fight for good jobs and quality education.
1. Sign a Union Membership Card. We have strength in numbers. Even if you’ve signed a membership application in the past, re-commit by signing a new card today. There are no additional dues or other charges. Click here.
2. Vote Yes for changes in our SEIU 99 Constitution and Bylaws. Below is a summary of proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws that govern how we run our Union. Our member-led SEIU Local 99 Executive Board believes these changes will strengthen our union, give members more of a say in how our union works, and enable us to be more effective in our mission to lift up all Local 99 education workers and our communities. As such, our Executive Board recommends a YES vote on these changes.
All members in good standing will be receive a ballot in the mail on or about October 13, 2017. SEIU Local 99 members must vote on these proposed changes. Completed ballots must be received by November 17, 2017.
How to Get a Replacement Ballot –
Members who do not receive a ballot in the mail, or who lost or damaged a ballot they received in the mail, may request a replacement ballot as follows:
1. Replacement Ballots will be available in the SEIU Local 99 Main Office, 2724 West 8th Street, LA 90005, starting on Monday, October 23, through Wednesday, November 15, 2017, Monday-Friday, from 9:00am-5:00pm. (Please note: office is closed on Nov. 10 – Veteran’s Day)
Replacement Ballots will also be available between 9 am – 5 pm at the following satellite offices. (Please note these offices are closed for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.)
Northridge | November 7 and 14 – 8363 Reseda Blvd. Suite 6 Northridge, CA 91324
Lynwood | November 8 and 15 – 3651 E. Imperial Hwy. Lynwood, CA 90262
2. A Replacement Ballot can only be provided to a member in good standing who makes this request in-person.
3. Members must provide sufficient photo ID in order to verify membership status.
4. Once provided a Replacement Ballot, Secret Ballot Envelope, and Return Envelope, it is the responsibility of the member to put their completed ballot in the mail, which must be received by 9am on Friday, November 17, 2017, in order to be included in the vote count.
Ballot Count
Ballots will be counted on Friday, November 17, 2017, beginning at approximately 10:00am, at the SEIU Local 99 Main Office, 2724 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles 90005. All Local 99 members are invited to observe the ballot count.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO SEIU LOCAL 99’S CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
| What is currently in the bylaws? | What is the proposed update? | How is this an improvement? |
| The Executive Director is hired by the Executive Board. | The Executive Director will be elected by the membership of our Union. | It’s more democratic. It gives members a direct voice in the election of an important Union Leader. |
| The Leadership Assembly reviews and approves the strategic plan and budget recommended by the Executive Board. | The Executive Board will develop and adopt the Union’s strategic plan and budget. | It expedites the budget and planning process. The Executive Board already recommends and adopts our Union’s budget and plans. Approval by the Leadership Assembly is a repetitive step in the process. |
| The Large Public K-12 Division is one of our Industry Divisions. | Large Public K-12 Industry Division will be re-named the LAUSD Industry Division. | It provides more clarity. The Large Public K-12 Division only represents members working at LAUSD. |
| Each Industry Division is entitled to 4 delegates on the Executive Board. | Each Industry Division will be entitled to 3 delegates on the Executive Board. The LAUSD Division will be entitled to an additional 7 delegates, one elected from each of the LAUSD Board Districts. |
It’s a more equitable representation of Local 99’s membership on the Executive Board. The largest division will have more members on the Board.
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| The Executive Board must hold at least 10 meetings per year. | The Executive Board will hold meetings once every quarter. Additionally, the Executive Board will host two Regional meetings per year. The location of the meetings will be rotated. | Executive Board meetings will be more flexible to address the needs of members and will be held in different locations to be more accessible to members. |
| The Order of Business of the Executive Board meetings is set by the Constitution and Bylaws. | The Executive Board will decide on the agenda for Board Meetings and Regional Meetings. | The Board will decide on the meeting agenda that best meets the needs of union members. |
| If an Executive Board member has an unexcused absence for 3 consecutive board meetings, without a reason approved by the Board, that member’s seat will be declared vacant. | Executive Board members will be required to attend at least four of the six Board and Regional meetings. | There will be greater accountability of Executive Board Members and more clarity on their attendance policy. |
| General Membership meetings are held two times a year and the agenda is set by the Constitution &Bylaws. | A General Membership Meeting will be held once a year and the Board will set the agenda. | In addition to the General Membership Meeting, there will be four Regional Membership Meetings every year in different locations. |
| There are currently 10 standing membership committees set by the Constitution & Bylaws. | The Executive Board will appoint standing, special and ad hoc committees and determine their function, make-up and duration. | The current committee structure is rigid in its purpose and policies and has had low membership participation. This new structure will allow for committees to be created to focus on Union programs and campaigns and provide for improved membership input and participation in the work of our union. |
| Special general membership meetings can be called by the President and/or the Executive Board by a ¾ vote of the Board. The quorum for any special meeting is 10%. | Special general membership meetings can be called by the President and/or the Executive Board by a ¾ vote or by a petition signed by 10% of members in good standing. The quorum for any special meeting or referendum shall be 1000 members. | In addition to the President and Executive Board, members will also have the ability to call special membership meetings through a petition process. |
Read the full language of the proposed changes here.
