Maya Castillo, President of SEIU Arizona's Pima Chapter, sent this letter out to members Wednesday, May 19 ...

I'd like to introduce myself.  My name is Maya Castillo and I am the new Pima Chapter President.  I am not only a full time Pima County employee, working in the Pima County Public Library at the Santa Rosa Branch Library, but also a Tucson native, a wife, and the mother of a 2 ½ year-old girl who is the funniest part of my life.  I am the daughter of a retired City employee and a retired County employee, so I guess it can be said that public service runs in the family.  And when I told an aunt that I'd be taking on the role of chapter president, the first thing she said was that my grandparents would be so proud.

For me, union membership is a great way to be active in my community.  Not only are we employees of Pima County, but we're mothers, daughters, wives and fathers, sons, husbands.  We have families and friends who make up the community we serve and we ourselves benefit from the services that Pima County provides.  We check out library books, we use parks, we need clean water and a healthy community.  What better way to serve our families and friends than to belong to an organization that supports the very county employees that provide many crucial services to our families, friends, and neighbors?

I came to this position during a very exciting time for our union.  We're in the middle of the Meet and Confer process, where we won an additional $3 million toward our county healthcare options when county management wanted employees to absorb the entire 16% increase imposed by United Healthcare.  It's an election year.  Our Arizona State employee brothers and sisters are getting themselves organized.  SB1070 was signed by Governor Jan Brewer.  And most importantly we're putting a significant effort toward growing our own union and our own power as Pima County employees.

There are many ways you can help with these efforts:

All members are invited to an orientation on Thursday, May 27 at either noon or 5:30 pm.  We'll discuss member benefits, give you your member ID and free SEIU T-shirt, and get you connected with other members--and have pizza.  Invite your friends and fellow county employees who aren't yet members and encourage them to get their questions answered and join.  Members are eligible for work release time for this meeting so let us know if you can make it.

Join me and other members as we reach out to more county employees and ask them to join.  We'll be at the union hall, 1600 N Tucson Blvd, Ste 100, every Monday from 5:00-7:00 pm.  We'll provide some food so feel free to bring your families (I'll bring mine).  We'll be making this a regular event so that everyone will get a chance to lend a hand.

Another way to help is to get your family, friends, and coworkers registered to vote.  Our current governor has hurt State employees by not allowing them their fairly won right to vote to create a union and has hurt our economy even more by signing SB1070.  We must replace her with someone who will allow our state employees the right to form a union and to Meet and Confer, the same rights that we in Pima County have. 

SB1070 is hurting this state economically by forcing local governments to put additional funding into law enforcement - additional resources that we don't have.  We cannot afford to put more public employees and public services at risk for further cuts or elimination.

Last, but not least, I'd like your help in creating a friendly and welcoming environment at our union hall, one where we all feel comfortable and willing to bring our families.  Some of my happiest childhood memories took place in offices just like ours, "helping" make signs and "managing" campaigns.  I'd like our union hall and our chapter to be an easy part of our busy lives.  Please let me know if you'd like to help with this effort.

Please call 884-8100 and let us know how you can help.

If you'd like to RSVP for the member orientation, want more information about our current activities, the Meet and Confer process, or just to chat about your experience as a Pima County employee, please give me a call at the SEIU office, 884-8100 or on my cell phone, 289-7936.  I can also be reached by email at maya.castillo@seiu5az.org.  I'd like to meet you and am happy to come visit your worksite or neighborhood coffee shop at a convenient time for you.  I'll keep you all updated by email about the Meet and Confer process and other activities.

I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you.

Maya A. Castillo
President, Pima Chapter
SEIU Arizona