Joint Statement by SEIU Washington State Local Union Presidents Regarding the Retirement of SEIU President Andy Stern

Friday, April 16

SEIU WA Local Union Presidents thank President Andy Stern for his years of service and wish him well in his next endeavors. President Stern’s bold, fearless and innovative leadership has drastically improved the lives of the 2 million janitors, nurses, educational employees, child care providers, security guards and long-term care workers we represent -- and, for all working Americans.

His tenure began in the midst of a declining labor movement and President Stern set out to accomplish nothing less than radical reforms for America’s workers. We are proud of SEIU’s accomplishments over the last 14 years including organizing 1 million new workers, electing Barack Obama as President, and passing historic health insurance reform.

We are also proud of the work we have accomplished in Washington State over the last decade – organizing tens of thousands of home care, childcare, health care, and property service workers; holding politicians accountable, winning real improvements in wages and benefits for low-wage workers, and, most recently, preventing deeper cuts to health care and education by increasing revenue.

We look forward to a positive and thoughtful discussion about the future of our union. We are all committed to working closely with our next SEIU President, each other, and the national officers to continue to unite workers in our union, hold politicians accountable, win social justice and continue President Stern’s work to strengthen and grow the labor movement in America and in Washington State.

# # #

On behalf of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Washington State Local Union Presidents, Sergio Salinas (SEIU Local 6), Meg Niemi (SEIU Local 49), David Rolf (SEIU 775 Healthcare NW), Kim Cook (SEIU Local 925), Diane Sosne (SEIU 1199 Healthcare NW), and Judi Owens (SEIU Local1948/PSE).

---