Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Table of Contents
IntroductionWhyfightingbudgetcutsisimportant Researchingyourstate Researchingyouruniversity Buildingyourorganization Recruitingvolunteers Coalitionbuilding Guidelinesforcoalitionbuilding Introtostrategies Short-termstrategy Intermediatestrategy Long-termstrategy Samplestrategychart Sampleflyer Resources 3 4-5 6-7 8 9 10 11 12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19 20 21
InSolidarity, SLAP&USSA
Budget
Revenues
Appropriations
[Expenditures]
Revenue Structure 4
Other Taxes and Fees Corporation Filing Fees Interest Earnings Tobacco Taxes Service Charges
Constitutional, Federal and Judical Requirements 3
2.62% 0.93% 1.31% 1.08% 1.56% 2.95% 2.37% 2.30% 3.00% 9.31% 73.99%
10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00%
Economic Factors 1
Demographic Factors 2
Insurance Premium Tax Intangibles Tax Beverage Tax and Licenses Documentary Stamp Tax Corporate Income Tax Sales Tax 0.00%
Percentage of Total GR
StudentsPowerasVoters Ascommunitymembersandvoters,itis importanttoengageinlocalandstatepolitics. Studentcanbuildelectoralpoweronthe localandstatelevelandmakestudentissuesapriorityforourelectedofficials. Stepsforvoterregistrationandgetout-the-voteprograms 1. Registerstudenttovote 2. Votereducationonimportantissues 3. Getoutthevoteprogramswhenimportantelectionsarehappening USSAhasanElectoralActionTraining whichwillgiveyoualltheskillsandtools neededtorunaneffectivevotecampaign. Checkoutwww.usstudents.orgfor moreinfo.
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LegislativeResearch Itisimperativetofindoutwhich districtyouruniversityislocated in,whorepresentsvotersinthat district,andhowmuchpowerstudentshaveovertherepresentative(s). 1. Checkoutyourstateswebsite oraskyourstudentgovernmentandstatewidestudent associationaboutyourlegislators. 2. Findouthowyourlegislators havevotedinthepastaround studentissuesandbudgets. Seeiftheyarerunningforreelectionanytimesoonandbe suretomarkimportantdates inyourgroupscalendar. Itisalsoimportanttoknowwho isonthebudgetorappropriationscommittees.Evenifthey donotrepresentyourcampus, theyprobablyhaveconstituents whoarestudentsatyour school.
Thispartofthecampaignisessentialwhendealingwiththeadministrationanddecisionmakersastheymaytrytousetacticstodelayaction,createpowerlessadvisorycommittees,anddistractyoufromyourefforts.
DivisionofUniversityBudget(ex.FSU)
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Ex.FSU E&GOperatingRevenueControl Revenue Control StateGeneralrevenuefund Legislature StateLottery Legislature Tuition Legislature(undergraduatetuition) -BoardofTrustees(BOT)-UndergraduateOutof StateFees -Graduatetuition -GraduateO/Stuitions -BoardofGovernors(BOG)-Delegatesand choosesBOT DifferentialTuition BOGDelegatestoBOT
4. FindoutaboutStudentGovernment'sroleincommitteesandbudgetingofyouruniversity -StudentsinSGAmighthaveimportantrelationshipsand connectionswithadministratorsthatcanhelpyougather information. -YourStudentbodypresidentmightsitontheBoardof Trusteesmeetings. -Findoutwhoyourstudentbodypresidentisandtheirpositiononbudgetcutsand stoppinglayoffs. -Runforstudentgovernment!Createplatformsandruncandidatestobepartof SGA. *SLAPandUSSAcansupportyouinthinkingofstrategiesandwaystowinseatsinstudent government
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HoldingMeetings
Havearegularmeetingtimeandplace.Weeklyorbiweeklymeetingsareprobablybest.Meeting lessfrequentlymaypreventyoufromaccomplishingallyouneedtoduringtheacademicyear. Goodmeetingsarebothproductiveanddemocratic.Itsbesttodesignateoneortwofacilitatorstokeepthemeetingontrack.Thefacilitatorcanberesponsibleforplanningtheagenda andallocatingapproximatetimelimitstoeachtopic.Agoodfacilitatorattemptstoensurethat everyonesvoiceisheard,keepinganeyeontheraceandgenderdynamicsofthosewhospeak andoccasionallybysolicitingtheopinionsofthelessoutspokenmembersofthegroup.S/he shouldalsonotbeafraidtoaskpeopletomakecommentaryconcise,especiallyifthemeeting isdraggingon.
MakingDecisions
Asyourgroupdevelops,youwillwanttoselectaconsistentdecision-makingprocess.Decisions aregenerallymadethroughastraightmajorityvote,two-thirdsapprovalorthroughconsensus. Consensusmeansthateveryoneagreeswiththeproposal,ornooneobjectssostronglyasto blockconsensus.Theconsensusmodelcanbeincrediblytediousandtime-consuming,especiallywhenthereisacontroversialdecisiontobemade.However,manygroupsfeelthetimeis worthitifeveryoneleavesfeelingconnectedtothefinaldecision.
RespectingDiversity
Whenworkingtowardssocialandeconomicjustice,weinevitablychallengetraditionalsystems ofpower.Indoingso,however,weoftenrecreatetheveryhierarchiesweseektoeradicate.An essentialpartofbuildingstudent-workerpoweristomakeyourgroupsustainablebyempoweringasmanypeopleaspossibletospeakoutandtakeleadership.
CommunicatingwithOthers
Beforeyoureachouttothepublic,makesureyouhaveaclearandconsistentpublicmessage. Veryearlyinthecampaign,assigninterestedcampaignmemberstofocusondoingcommunicationswork.Thisisntjustproducingpressreleasesandmakingcallstothemedia.Leafletsand 8 othercampaignmaterialsshouldallreflectthekeygoalsofyourcampaign.Ifyourecirculating materialswithcontradictorymessages,youmayconfuseorworse,alienatepotentialsupporters.
Recruiting Volunteers
MakeaListofGroupsandPlacesforRecruitment
Listalloftheareaswhereyoucanreachstudentsoncampus.Thismightbedonebythespecific college,dorm,dininghall,and/orbyorganizationsstudentsparticipatein.Makesuretobreakthem downintomanageablesizes. ForInstance: Yourexistingvolunteerlististhebestplacetostart Organizationsoncampus Apartmentsorstudentheavyneighborhoods Inthedormsordininghalls
Recruitment
Eithercallorvisitthepotentialvolunteersandaskthemtocometoakick-offmeeting.Havethe campaignkick-offmeetingforpeople/organizationswhowanttolearnmoreaboutit.Yourgoalat themeetingistogetpeopleexcitedaboutthecampaignandthengetthemtocommittoworking onit.Whenrecruiting,besuretomentionthefuntasksthatstudentscanengageinright awaysothattheyknowyoursisnotanotherorganizationthatsimplyholdsmeetings.Be action-orientedinyourrecruitment!
Training
Onceastudenthascommittedtoworkingonthecampaign,trainthem.Itisimportantthatthe firstroleastudenttakesasacampusorganizeriseasyandfun.Agoodfirstroleisflyeringatan eventortabling.Iftheyhaveneverdonethesetasksbefore,havethemdoitwithsomeonewhohas experience.
AssignTasks
Volunteerswillquitiftheythinktheirtasksaretooboringorawasteoftheirtime.Itisimportantto givevolunteerssomethingtodoimmediately,butmakesureyouaskthemwhattheyareinterestedindoingsoyoucangivethemresponsibilitiesthatbettersuitthem.Volunteerplacementisa matterofmatchingtheneedsofyourcampaignwiththeinterests,skills,experiences,andavailabilityofthevolunteer.Letthemknowtheyarenotlimitedtodoingthesametask,butthatthey cantrydifferentthingstoseewhattheyaremostinterestedin.
StepstoLeadershipDevelopment
Itisimportanttostartvolunteersoutwithtasksthatareeasytolearnandeasytobesuccessful at.Astheyexcel,evaluatewhichnewtaskorresponsibilitywillfitthevolunteersinterestsandincrease theirinStep1: Step3: Flyering Facilitateameeting Tabling Planevents MakingPosters Dealwithmedia Organizetabling Step2: Helpwithcampaignstrategy Recruitmorevolunteers Step4: Manageatablingshift Organizepartofanevent Developotherleaders Trainingotherstoflyer,table,etc. Beinchargeofrunningcampaign
1. CHOOSEUNIFYINGISSUES. 2.COALITIONISRARELYTHEROADTODIVERSITY. 3.UNDERSTANDANDRESPECTEACHGROUPSSELF-INTEREST. 4.RESPECTEACHGROUPSINTERNALPROCESS. 5.AGREETODISAGREE. 6.PLAYTOTHECENTERWITHTACTICS. 7.RECOGNIZETHATCONTRIBUTIONSVARY. 8.STRUCTUREDECISION-MAKINGCAREFULLY. 9.URGESTABLEANDSENIORLEADERSHIPATMEETINGS. 10.DISTRIBUTECREDITCAREFULLY. 11.IFTHEREISSTAFF,THEYSHOULDBENEUTRAL.
Ex.JobswithJusticelocalcoalitions Theyarecoalitionsoffaith,labor,communityandstudentactivistswho workonworkersrightsissuesintheirlocalcommunities.
*GROW: Coalitions
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Coalition Building
Acoalitionisanorganizationoforganizations.Itisnotagroupofindividuals.Manyorganizationsmistakenlycallthemselvescoalitionsevenwhentheyrereallyasinglegroup.
WhyFormaCoalition?
DoSomethingBiggerInformingacoalition,yourorganizationcanaccomplishmorethan itcouldalone.Runningacampaignisatremendoustask.Todoitwell,weneedtoform strongcampuscoalitions. IncreasePowerAcoalitionoftenearnsmorerespectandthushasmorepowerthana singlegroup.Forexample,theuniversityadministrationwilltakenoticewhentheblack studentunionandtheenvironmentaliststeamuptoworkonacampaigntogether. IncreaseResourcesEachgroupofferssomethingand,together,itsalot. BroadenstheScopeoftheWorkThroughcoalitions,youcaninvolvegroupsthathave neverbeeninvolvedinthepoliticalprocessbefore.Also,bycreatingadiversecoalition,you cantalkaboutissuesthatyouwouldnthaveincludedbeforeandbroadenyouraudience.
TipsforRunningaStrongCoalition
Bringtogetheradiversegroupoforganizations. Diversebackgroundsandviewpointsbringinnewideasfororganizing.Plus,peopleare morelikelytotakeactionifsomeonetheyidentifywithasksthemto.Thebestwaytoengagestudentsfromallcommunitiesonyourcampusistocreateacoalitionmadeupof studentleadersfromdifferentstudentorganizationsandgroups.Identifythegroups thatrepresentlargecommunitiesoncampus,aswellasthegroupsthatrepresentdifferentcommunitiesoncampussoyouhaveawiderangeoforganizationsinvolved. Recognizethateachgrouphasitsownself-interest. Considerwhyeachgroupwouldwanttojointhecoalitionbeforeapproachingthemsothat youcantailoryourask.Oncethecoalitionisformed,realizethatallthegroupsstillhave theirowninterests.Everygroupwantstogainnewmembers,receivepublicityandpraise, exciteitsmembersintheworkandbuildmorale,etc. Understandthatcontributionswillvaryfromgrouptogroup. Differentgroupshavedifferentcapacities.Differentgroupshavedifferentstrengthsand weaknesses.Itsokayforgroupstocontributedifferentamountsaslongastherolesand responsibilitiesareclearlydefinedattheoutset.Conflictarisesfromsurprises. Definehowdecisionswillbemadeupfront. Doyouwanttoimplementaoneorganization,onevotemodel?Thatmodelisreallyonly fairifallorganizationsaregoingtomakeequalcontributions,whichisrarelypossible. Whateverdecision-makingsystemyouchoose,makesureitisdecidedonbyallmembers ofthecoalition. Haveconsistentrepresentation. Groupsshouldsendthesamepersontoeachmeeting. Agreetodisagree. Noteveryonehastoagreeoneverything.Thecoalitioncanonlyfunctionwithintheareas ofagreement.
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2)TheIntermediatestrategytakesmore
timetoorganizeandusuallydependsonthesuccess oftheshorttermgoal.Thisstrategydealsdirectly withadministratorsandchallengingpowerwithin youruniversity.Inordertowin,educationanddirect actionorganizingisnecessarytobuildbroadsupport andmoveontothenextstepofthecampaign.You mayhavetoemploysometacticsoff-campusdependingonwhoyourtargetis(e.g.BoardofRegents/ Trusteesmaynotmeeton-campusbutmakedecisionsaffectingyourcampus).
Goalsintheintermediatestrategy mayinclude:gettingtheboardof Regentstoadoptsustainableenergyoptionsaspartofcost-saving measures;delayingfacultylayoffs untilthestatebudgetisfinalized; decreasingtheamountoftherecommendedtuitionincrease(ex: TheChancellorisaskingfora25% tuitionincreaseandyourcoalition getsitdownto10%).Yourgoalswill bebasedontheamountofpower youwereabletobuildthroughthe short-termstrategy.Thestronger yourcoalitionisandthemore
Abudgetcutonpublicuniversitiesisasymptomofa muchlargermaladywithin ourstateandfederalgovernments.Thecollege/ universityonlyhassomuch decision-makingpowerif statescontinuetounderfunditsinstitutions.These shorttermandintermediate campaignswillbuildyourorganizingmuscle,allowyouto recruit,buildcoalitions,and more,butthelongterm campaigniscriticalforput-
Unionsprovidelivingwagesandsecurityforworkersinyouruniversity.Mostoftheworkersarelikelyresidentsofnearbycommunitieswhichareaffectedbytheuniversitys budgetdecisions.Itsimportantasstudentsandconsumerstomakeouruniversityaccountabletothesecommunities.
Yourorganization Thisisthefirstpartofalongtermstrategyinwhichyouwanttostartbuildinga grouporcontinuingtostrengthenanalreadyexistinggroup.Youmighthavea groupofstudentswhoareinterestedin workingcloselywithworkersonyour campusandarebeingaffectedby budgetcuts. Theimportantpartofthisprocessisthe engagementofleadersinyourorganization.Whenwesayleaderswedontmean inahierarchicalsense,butmoreinthe peoplewhoaredeeplycommittedtothe SLAPstudentsheldarallyinsupportofalocal issueandarewillingtostayupmaking unioncontractfight signsandcallingstudentstoshowupfor aneventthenextday.Theyareleadersbyexample.
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YourAllies
Whenworkingwithunionsitisimportanttounderstandeachothersselfinterestandcapacity.Studentsmaybegoodforturningpeopleouttoralliesandeventswhileunionsmay havegoodresourcesthatstudentscanuse,suchasprinting,officespaceetc.
Yourtargets
SecondaryWhohaspoweroverthefinaldecisionmaker?(i.e.BoardofDirectors,Trustees,orRegents.)
Tactics
EducationalTactics:
Sincethisisthefirststepinyourcampaignandmostoftheeventsandactionswillbe aroundsolidaritywithworkers,itisimportantthatyoueducatethestudentbodyonthe importanceofhavingunionsandhowunionsareformed.ContacttheSLAPcoordinatorto provideyouwithaworkshopyoucandoonyourcampusabouthowunionsareformed. EducationalTactics: Classpresentations InvitemembersofyourorganizationtogotolocalunionmeetingsandJwJlocalcoalitionmeetingstogettoknowunionmembers Workshopontheimportanceofunionsandhowunionsareformed Paneleventswithleadersfromthecommunityandlocalunionsinformingaboutcurrentstrugglesinthecommunity Unionbreakfast/programsofoutreachtoworkers
PowerTactics:
Sincethiscampaignfocusesonbuildingrelationshipswithworkersandraisingawareness ofbudgetcutsandhowtheyaffecttheoveralluniversitycommunity,powertacticsmight notbenecessaryinthisportion.Stillyouwouldliketobeseenandlettheadministration knowthatyouareinsolidaritywithworkersinyouruniversity PowerTactics: Attendingralliesinsupportofworkersrights Meetingwithkeyofficials&laborleaderstoexpressconcernaboutthepoliciesbeing 14 implemented
Intermediate Strategy
Asyoucontinuetobuildsupportforyourgroupandyourcampaign,thenextphase beforeawholestatewidecampaignisacampaignwithinyouruniversity.
Inthepastfewyears,thereasbeenasurgeofstudentactivismdemandinga closerlookattopadministratorscompensationsandtheneedforreform.Every dayouruniversitiesarerunmorelikecorporationsthaninstitutionsofhighereducation.In2008,theratioofaCEOssalarytothesalaryofhisemployeesiscurrentlycloseto319to1.(Source;InstituteforPolicyStudies-Unitedforafaireconomy 2007). Whathaveotheruniversitiesdonetotakeontheburdenofthecrisiscollectively? -BrandeisUniversityisgivingfacultyuntilDecember19thtosignontoaneffortto take1%paycuts;when30%areinagreement,theplanwillgointoeffect.TheChair oftheFacultySenatehasexplainedthiseffortasinlinewithBrandeistraditional, historicalcommitmenttosocialjustice.Otherprofessorsareconsideringputting moneyintoacharitablefundtosecurejobs.(http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/
media/storage/paper573/news/2008/12/09/News/Profs.Could.Take.Pay.Cuts-3575433.shtml)
-AtArizonaStateUniversity,topadministratorswillhave15daysoftheirvacation gounpaid.(http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/134704) -TheUniversityofTennesseePresidentandhisexecutivestaffwillalltakeavoluntarypaycutof5%.(http://www.tennessee.edu/media/releases/12172008salarycuts.html) ThechancellorofWashingtonUniversityinSt.Louiswilltakeavoluntarypaycutof 10%forthenextacademicyear.(http://chronicle.com/news/article/?id=5520) -TheStanfordpresidentandtopadministratorshavetakenavoluntary10%pay cutforthenexttwoacademicyears.(http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/26809) Goals Topearnersdemonstrateleadershipbysharingtheburdenofbudgetcutsaccordingtothefollowingincomebrackets: 5%salaryreductionsfor$100,000-200,000peryear 10%salaryreductionsfor$200,000-300,000peryear 15%salaryreductionsforabove$300,000peryear Theuniversitycansavemillionsthroughenergysavingsinitiativesandpricereductionsinnaturalgasandelectricity. Ex.MITsaved$8.1millionthroughenergysavings initiativesandpricereductionsinnaturalgasand electricity. Gettheadministrationtoengageinmorestateleveladvocacyandencouragestudentstodoso aswell. Committofundingbusesforlobbydays andgowithstudentstolobby.Thisgoal helpstransitionintothe3rdstageofthe campaign.
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Intermediate Strategy
Yourorganization Dependingonhowyourorganizationworks,whatyouwanttogetoutofthiscampaignistocontinuebuildingsupportforthecause,buildrelationshipswithleaders fromotherorganizations,educatestudentsontheimportanceoffightingbudget cuts,andhavingadministratorslistentostudentsandstopputtingtheburdenof costonstudentsandworkersbacks.
Asyouhaveseen,thisisaintermediatestrategy-thisrequiresmoreeffortand powerthansolidarityactionswithuniversityemployeesfacinglayoffsorcontract fights.Youarechallengingtheadministrationdirectlyandpreparingforastatewidefightagainstbudgetcuts. YourConstituents Whoareyoutryingtoorganizeandhowaretheyalreadyorganized? Whoarethepeoplemostaffectedbytheproblem? YourTargets Primary-PresidentandVicePresidents(fromyourresearch,findoutwhothetop earnersareandtheirnamesandpositions-rememberyouwanttohaveaspecific individualthatyouaretargeting.) Secondary-DoestheBoardofTrusteeshavepoweroversalaries? Tactics Thisisveryimportant,youaretryingtogettheadministrationtoberesponsiveto studentsinyouruniversitybutyouarealsobuildingforastatewidecampaigntargetinglegislatorsandthestategovernment. EducationalTactics Classpresentations-workwiththeprofessorsunionsbyidentifyingclasses withgoodamountsofpeoplewhowouldjoinyourorganization. Tabling Streettheater Musicalperformances PowerTactics Dontescalateinthispartofthestrategy,rememberthisistoputpressureonadministratorsbutyouarealsopressuringlegislators. Meetfacetofacewithtarget.Bringlargeamountsoffolkstoshowsupport fromthestudentbody Rallytohelpraiseawarenessandalsoprepareyouforthebiggertacticofa statewide gathering
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YourOrganization
YourConstituents
Howaretheyalreadyorganizedintodifferentorganizationsthatwouldcareaboutthis issue? -Studentsofpublicuniversities&colleges(nameall StudentsoftheUniversityofCaliforniasystemrallyingagainstbudget ofthem) -Studentsofcolor -Otherlaboractivestudents -Gradstudents -Studentparents -low-incomestudents -1stgenerationstudents -Studentsinstudentorganizations Yourtargets
Ex.FlyerforRallyatPomonaCollege,CA.
Example strategy Chart for long term strategy Goals LongTerm Reverse thetrend ofdivestingfrom highered inthe state Organizational Considerations Resources -3full-timestaff -15SLAPMembers -Meetingspaceat thelocalJwJoffice -Freecopyingfrom JwJ -Staffsupportfrom SLAPcoordinator -OrganizingKit -$50fromlastterm fundraiser -Goodrelationships withunionsoncampus HowWillourOrganizationBeStrengthened -Develop3newlead SLAPstudents -Fundraise$100 -Buildalistof100 SLAPatistasstatewide -Improverecruitmentandlobbying skills -Buildrelationships withkeydecisionmakers(Regents, campusadministration) Difficulties/Barriers -Blatantlyantistudentlegislators andRegents -Economiccrisisin thestate -Nopresenceon othercampuses statewide Multipletargets- -littleexperience withcampaignof thisscale Constituents, Allies,and Opponents Constituents -Studentsof PublicUniversities&colleges (nameallof them) -Studentsof color -Otherlaboractivestudents -Gradstudents -Studentparents -low-incomestudents -1stgeneration students -Studentsinstudentorganizations *bemorespecific:SGA(10ppl), BSU(8people), etc.etc. Allies -AFSCMEworkers -FacultyUnion (AFT) -SEIU -Parentshow aretheyorganized? -University/collegepresidents Opponents -Anyonewho gets$$$from thestatebudget -Dependingon thewordingof thelegislation, UniversityPresidents Targets Primary -Chairof House AppropriationsCmte -Speakerof theHouse -Senate President -Chairof SenateAppropriation s Committee -Governor Secondary -Chairsof HigherEd Committee -Boardof Regents Chair -University Presidents Tactics Student governmentresolutions passedon everypublic college/ university TownHall withAppropriations committee Lettersto theEditor Collect 3,000signatures statewide MockAccountability session outsidethe Capitol Lobbylocal representativeand senator Register 10,000 students statewide
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Sample flyer
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Resources
StudentLaborActionProject 1325MassachusettsAve.NW,Washington,DC20005 Tel:(202)393-1044ex.226 www.studentlabor.org Email:slap@jwj.org UnitedStatesStudentAssociation 1211ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite406,Washington,DC20036 Tel:(202)640-6570 Fax:(202)223-4005 www.usstudents.org Email:od@usstudents.org JobswithJustice 1325MassachusettsAve.Nw,Washington,DC20005 Tel:(202)393-1044 www.jwj.org Email:Naomi@jwj.org NationalLaborUnions TheAmericanFederationofState,Countyand MunicipalEmployees(AFSCME) AFSCMEisthelargestunionforworkersinthepublicservicesectorwith1.4million membersnationwide.Itorganizesforsocialandeconomicjusticeintheworkplace andthroughpoliticalactionandlegislativeadvocacy Website:www.afscme.org UNITEHERE UNITE(formerlytheUnionofNeedletrades,IndustrialandTextileEmployees)and HERE(HotelEmployeesandRestaurantEmployeesInternationalUnion)mergedon July8,2004formingUNITEHERE.Organizingtheunorganizedinourindustriesisthe toppriorityforUNITEHERE. Website:www.unitehere.org TheAmericanFederationofLaborandCongressofIndustrialOrganizations (AFL-CIO) isavoluntaryfederationof57nationalandinternationallaborunions. TheAFL-CIOunionmovementrepresents11.5millionmembersacrossthecountry. Website:www.aflcio.org SEIU-ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion TheServiceEmployeesInternationalUnionisanorganizationof2.1millionmembers unitedbythebeliefinthedignityandworthofworkersandtheservicestheyprovide.Itisdedicatedtoimprovingthelivesofworkersandtheirfamiliesandcreating amorejustandhumanesociety. Website:www.seiu.org
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