Service Employees International Union

Definition

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is a labor union in the United States that represents workers in the service sector, including healthcare, public services, and property services. Founded in 1921, SEIU has grown to become one of the largest unions in North America, focusing on improving wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members, while also advocating for social justice and equity within labor movements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SEIU represents over 2 million members across various sectors, making it one of the largest unions in North America.
2. The union plays a significant role in advocating for policies that improve worker rights and healthcare access at both local and national levels.
3. SEIU has been instrumental in organizing low-wage workers and promoting the fight for a higher minimum wage across different industries.
4. The union emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion within its ranks, reflecting the demographics of the service industry workforce.
5. Through its political activism, SEIU has supported numerous campaigns aimed at advancing social justice issues beyond just labor concerns.

Review Questions

• How does the Service Employees International Union influence collective bargaining processes for its members?
  • The Service Employees International Union significantly influences collective bargaining by representing the interests of service workers during negotiations with employers. The union works to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions through organized efforts that amplify workers' voices. By leveraging its large membership base and political clout, SEIU negotiates contracts that reflect the needs and demands of its members while ensuring their rights are protected.
• What role does SEIU play in advocating for labor rights and how does this affect its member organizations?
  • SEIU actively advocates for labor rights by pushing for policies that protect workers' rights to organize, negotiate fair contracts, and work in safe environments. This advocacy not only helps improve conditions for current members but also strengthens the overall labor movement by fostering solidarity among various worker groups. The focus on labor rights ensures that SEIU's member organizations are empowered to fight against exploitation and discrimination in their workplaces.
• Evaluate the impact of SEIU's organizing efforts on low-wage workers and the broader labor movement in recent years.
  • SEIU's organizing efforts have had a profound impact on low-wage workers by bringing attention to their struggles and mobilizing them to advocate for better pay and working conditions. Initiatives like the Fight for $15 campaign have rallied support for raising the minimum wage, which has influenced policies in multiple states and cities. By elevating the voices of vulnerable workers, SEIU not only strengthens its own membership but also revitalizes the broader labor movement by highlighting issues of economic inequality and social justice that resonate across various industries.

Related terms

Collective Bargaining: A process where workers, through their unions, negotiate with employers over the terms of employment, including wages, hours, and working conditions.

Labor Rights: The legal rights and protections afforded to workers, which include the right to unionize, fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against discrimination.

Union Organizing: The process through which workers come together to form or join a union in order to collectively negotiate for better working conditions and benefits.