James Kame on the SEIU Convention
2008 Convention Report to SEIU Arizona
Sometime in mid-March, Scott Washburn the AZ director of SEIU, stopped for a visit at my Chandler office and asked me to run with him as a delegate for AZ. At the time I accepted, I really did not understand all of the responsibilities or work I would have to accomplish to make this trip happen. I collected needed nomination signatures, from many of you, for my petition to be in compliance. I went to several meetings and started receiving booklets of resolutions that would be voted on at the convention. I soon found out that I was also ‘volunteered’ to be on the programs committee. I was part of the committee that was responsible for recommending about 15 resolutions to be voted on at the convention. This committee met on Sunday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I want to assure you that my trip to Puerto Rico was not wasted on fun and games. I was there for seven days and had one afternoon off. The rest of the time I was indoors in a conference room or the convention center. I registered Friday, May 29th, morning and had the afternoon off. Saturday was division meetings. SEIU is divided into three divisions: Public Services, Property Services, and Healthcare. We are part of Public Services. Sunday was committee meetings and new delegate orientation; however I missed out on the orientation because I was on the programs committee.
On Monday, June 2nd, the convention began. The best way to explain the convention is to give the example of a mini congressional session. There were over 1,600 delegates on the floor and five microphones for debating purposes. Resolutions were given 40 minutes for debate or until someone called for the question to be voted on. This was a very interesting time to watch leaders from the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico show passion for the rights of all working people. There was also plenty of opposing debate!
Our President, Andy Stern, announced that we are now a union of two-million strong. If there is a message to give to you, it is that we are not alone here in Arizona. We have the support of many brothers and sisters across this country. The theme of the convention was ‘Justice for All, Pass It On’ - this means that our union is committed to making the lives of working people better within the next four years. Healthcare for All, was one of the major proposals voted on and passed unanimously.
As a delegate representing Arizona and the South-Southwest, our goal was to secure the resources for our region for the next four years. My other responsibility was to spread the word of what Local 5 AZ has been doing for the previous four years. At the convention in 2004, the decision to put resources and funding into the South and Southwest was voted on and passed. If it were not for those delegates who voted four years ago to expand SEIU, I would not be writing this report. The most important efforts that we as a local can accomplish is to make our goals as an international union come to fruition.
There were several locals that are interested in our Innovation & Quality program and the Labor/Management process. Sometime in the future, these locals will be sending members to visit and observe our relationship with management.
This convention was a great experience and I would like to thank all of you who signed a petition and for your ongoing support. If there are other questions about the convention please feel free to contact me through email at jnkame@msn.com
I am also looking to start a number of different caucuses for the South/Southwest region. There are eight different caucuses within SEIU and three are nationally recognized. The three recognized caucuses are: AFRAM – African American, Latino, and Lavender caucuses. Some of the others are: API – Asian Pacific Islander, Americans with Disabilities and Woman’s caucuses. If there is anyone interested please, contact me. I cannot do this alone and any help will be greatly appreciated.
In Solidarity,
James Kame, President
SEIU Arizona Chandler Chapter