2011 SEA Convention

2011 Annual Convention – Fight for a Fair Economy

On Saturday, October 22, 2011, approximately 130 delegates representing 29 different chapters from across the state met for the 71st Annual SEIU 1984 Convention. The Nashua Crowne Plaza hotel was the site of this year’s event, and it was bustling with activity beginning around 7:30 a.m. as the first attendees arrived.

First Vice President, Ken Roos, called the meeting to order promptly at 9:00 a.m. The meeting began with a stirring video of Reverend Cletus Kiley inspiring the 2,000+ Building Trades union leaders and members who filled the Washington Hilton for the 2011 Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) Legislative Conference. His words were clear and his message was strong – “something has gone awry in this land…we must speak; we must act.” You can view this video here.

Following a number of brief announcements and the adoption of the minutes from last year’s convention, President Diana Lacey delivered the President’s Report. She acknowledged the hurdles and bumps of the past year and commended the leadership and rank and file for their unity, commitment, and perseverance. “This year has been filled with more challenges than I or any of the candidates for SEA’s President in 2010 could have imagined,” she said. “But it has also been filled with more joy and pride than we might have expected as well! You elevated the NH worker this year! You brought us to life in local and national news! And in some circles at least, we ARE the Little Engine That Could!” You can read a complete transcript of the speech here.

Jake Krupski, Parliamentarian, called for and received three nominations for three candidates running for a three year term on the Board of Directors. The candidates were Betty Thomas, Chapter 37; James Nall, Chapter 9; and Owen David, Chapter 50. There were also two nominations for one Board of Director position with a two-year term - Shelley Elmes, Chapter 4 and Tammy Clark.

Each of the candidates was offered and accepted the opportunity to address the delegates.

Watch Betty Thomas' remarks here.
Watch Jim Nall's remarks here.
Watch Tammy Clark's remarks here.
Watch Shelley Elmes' remarks here.

Prior to opening the polls, Diana Lacey delivered a rally cry to the delegates and members-at -large through an interactive presentation called “Fight for a Fair Economy – the Road Ahead.”

You can learn more from this short video by John Reich that Diana shared: here.

Diana then asked members to stand up to this challenge by continuing to work together as one united body. She emphasized that we have the power to make the changes that need to happen. She gave an overview of the ways we can counter the attacks against the middle class, cautioning that these attacks will continue, if we do not let our voice be heard. The time to act is now. Specifically, we need every member to be engaged and vocal in their respective communities and work sites. Here is another video that Diana shared during this presentation: here.

Following lunch, Diana introduced Eileen Kirlin, International Executive Vice President, SEIU, who addressed the delegates about the value of the hard work members have been doing, and the need to continue pushing forward. She emphasized the importance of our Fight for a Fair economy - the unresolved and growing need for jobs in this country, as well as the inequality of wealth. You can see a bit of Eileen’s address in these two video clips: first clip; second clip.

The polls were closed and election results were shared. Betty Thomas, James Nall, Owen David, and Tammy Clark were voted onto the SEIU 1984 Board of Directors.

There were a handful of constitutional amendments and a resolution passed. You can read more about that here.

Following the business of discussing and voting on the amendments and resolution, Diana Lacey offered a second presentation called “Our Voices, Our Choices.” This presentation recapped the out and out assault on American labor since the fall of 2010 in New Hampshire, as well as across the nation. This was most recently highlighted by the speeches Presidential candidate hopefuls delivered at our own State House on October 12, 2011. You can hear and see what Michele Bachmann had to say here (this prompted loud booing from the balcony of the State House – our members and our brothers and sisters in other labor unions): here.

You can see some of what other GOP leaders have said here.

Among those who are seeking the Republican Party presidential nomination, certain recurring themes keep surfacing, such as Right-to-Work, pension reform, weakening unions, the erosion of voter rights, eliminating healthcare reform measures, increased privatization, and so on. The assault continues to mount and Diana urged us all to keep working together for the survival of the American dream. After showing attendees this video, she presented an outline of a plan for SEIU1984 members to do just that, promising to bring the message from Chapter to Chapter through “Local Strength Teams.” Local Strength Teams are groups of member activists who will work together at a community level to support our working families and build local relationships. These relationships will form a strong foundation for preserving fundamental worker’s rights and benefits. The teams will also be able to focus on contract campaigns and special SEA projects where applicable. These members will be reporting back to their chapters and helping the rank and file join in the Fight for a Fair Economy.

This year, as is customary, a number of awards were presented to deserving groups and individuals.

The Charlie Stevens Award, named after a chapter president of the Lakes Region Department of Transportation Chapter for many years, was awarded to Laurie Aucoin, Chapter 4. Diana Lacey described Laurie as having the characteristics of a true leader and able to wear many hats and boost employee morale at times of great adversity.

2011 Convention

Ana Ford, Chairperson of the Political Education Committee presented the Honorable Raymond E. Proulx Political Action Award to two equally deserving recipients. This award was established in 2002 to recognize members who exemplify the standard Ray set in the fight for social and economic justice. This year’s awardees are Rep. Timothy Copeland and Ann Smith, both from Chapter 1. Watch the video here.

The John B. Parker Award for the Outstanding Member is the highest award given by our union. It is given to those who have exhibited exemplary dedication and service that has resulted in strengthening the labor movement. This year Jim Nall presented the award to Neil Smith, who worked tirelessly as the Chair of the Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee. Watch the video here.

The final award presentation was for the Chapter of the Year. This award is intended to single out not one person, but a group of dedicated member activists. It symbolizes a united group of members who have worked hard to make their chapter active, strong, responsive, and effective in meeting the needs of their members. Diana Lacey presented this year’s award to Chapter 29, Great Bay Community College. Chapter 29, as so many others, played an important role in staving off the enactment of the Right to Work (for less) legislation. They excelled because they met and devised a plan to reach out to union members who lived in various legislative districts. They rehearsed how to explain right to work to people in understandable terms. They established and held one another accountable for following through on their important work. The Chapter also hosted a meeting with a state senator where the senator’s position of right to work was addressed through a meaningful conversation with the senator.

Congratulations to Chapter 29 and all the other deserving award recipients this year!

In addition to the awards presentations, the Board of Directors recognized Steve McCormack for his many years of dedicated service and his contributions to meaningful gains for our members. Steve began working at SEIU 1984 in 1985, following thirteen years of service at Laconia State School. Steve will be missed and we wish him well in his retirement.

The last order of business for the day was a “changing of the guard.” Outgoing Board members including Diana Richard and Sheila Heath were honored and the newly elected members were installed.

Following this packed agenda, the 2011 Convention adjourned ten minutes ahead of schedule.