Education

28th Annual NNEC-SEIU Summer Labor Studies Institute

High Quality at Low Cost: Delivering Public Services in a Difficult Economy

More than 100 Union members from Maine State Employees’ Association/SEIU Local 1989, The State Employees Association of NH/Local 1984, Dartmouth Local 560 and Vermont State Employees’ Association came together for our annual summer training program.
This, our 28th year of SLSI, was held at the Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. We enjoyed wonderful food from the Culinary Arts Students, air conditioned dorms and classrooms and the views were absolutely astonishing.

The program included trainers from SEIU:
Alicia Ybarra taught Tax Reform: What It Could Mean for Ensuring Quality Services in Your State

Mary Grillo - Working Smarter in a Difficult Economy

Local Trainers included:
Mike Prokosh - Labor History: How U.S. Corporations Shifted the Tax Burden onto Working Families, and What You Can Do to Fight Back

Mike Barwell - Making the Argument for Quality Public Services: How to Have Effective Conversations with Your Family, Friends, Neighbors and Co-Workers,

Terri Wright - New Revenue Strategies in Support of Quality Services Provided by Our Members

From the Midwest Academy

Steve Max, Writer/Trainer - The Economy and the Public Sector: Taking a Closer Look at the Causes That Led to the Funding Crisis We’re In,

At opening session, we introduced ourselves and then watched a video on the “Dartmouth Experience.” This video took us through the struggles that Local 560 just experienced when the school President decided costs needed be cut and the easiest way to cut costs is to let union workers go. Local 560 members rose to the occasion and held a candlelight vigil in front of the campus. They garnished support from the community and other labor organizations. This was the story of today but it sounded like one from history.

After opening, four people were chosen to speak about the challenges they faced and the obstacles they overcame in order to get what was fair and equitable for the members. Melissa Laferriere spoke about her efforts in organizing the Judicial Branch of NH. She shared her story of organizing a new unit, bargaining a new contract, and then becoming active in her Local.

At the end of our two days, each Local met separately to discuss what they had learned and how they can activate our membership during the next few years.

We must win support for new revenue sources or they will continue to outsource. We must look at ways to work smarter – not – harder. And, if we are to be successful, we must involve others. What are you interested in? There are many different Committees and many ways to get involved. It can be a commitment of one hour or one day – give what you can to your Local. This Union, after all, is yours and ours.

Please consider attending SLSI next year. We will again be at the Southern Maine Community College in July and would love to see you there along with all our returning members.