[caption id="attachment_4616" align="alignleft" width="127"]Local 888 President Mark DelloRusso[/caption]

I recently attended the Public Services Division Leadership Board meeting with other SEIU presidents from around the country and want to share with you what I learned.

A major theme in 2014 for the Public Services Division locals: “We’re All in this Together for Good Jobs and Economic Fairness for All.”  This theme unites all public service members with the communities we serve.  We are demanding that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share in taxes, demanding good, family-sustaining jobs, and holding responsible those entities who really broke the U.S. economy.

Members of SEIU’s International Executive Board reviewed Local 888’s organizing plan for 2014 that was prepared by Rudy Renaud our organizing director.   They were very enthusiastic about our presentation and it was unanimously approved.  Organizing remains a top priority for both the International Union and our local.

Political action and COPA membership were also on the agenda.  COPA is SEIU Local 888’s political action committee, funded with small weekly voluntary contributions from members.  Those small contributions from members are necessary to protect our health care and retirement benefits by supporting politicians who support collective bargaining and workers’ rights.  Federal and state laws restrict union dues mainly for union business.

Local 888 now has the honor of averaging about $10 per month per member in our effort to bolster our political action program. This is the highest rate of any other SEIU local in the country.  I sincerely thank all of the members who currently contribute to COPA and hope more members will sign dues deduction cards for a couple of dollars a week.

The money spent on candidates strengthens our ability in the political arena and in the labor movement.  It’s easy to join COPA on the Local 888 website.

Keep up the good work and remember that recently elected officials like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh appreciate all that was done by SEIU Local 888 and other union members to support them.  I am confident that in turn, they will continue to support our union’s goals and objectives.

Local 888’s Committee on Political Action and SEIU Massachusetts State Council will be holding a Governor’s Election Forum.  Please come to hear what the candidates have to say on the issues that matter to you!