[caption id="attachment_9393" align="alignnone" width="300"]‘SPRING FLING’: On hand for the April 27 event were Local 888 President Brenda Rodrigues and from left, city of Lawrence municipal unit members Carlos Morel, Pedro Ayala and Pablo Garcia.[/caption]

The SEIU “Spring Fling” was a hopping success as more than 150 SEIU members drawn from around the state got together to promote unity and have some fun. Good food was followed by music and dancing.

“It’s exactly what we wanted to accomplish,” said Harris Gruman, executive director of the SEIU-Massachusetts State Council. The event was sponsored by the council, SEIU Community Action and Locals 888, 1199, 509 and 32BJ. “All the locals were represented,” he added.

The April 27 event put a spotlight on SEIU caucuses – which are a way for union members with similar backgrounds and interests to get together. They include the African-American (AFRAM), Haitian, Latino, Lavender, Asian/Pacific Islander, Women’s and Climate Justice caucuses.

Local 888 leader Lorna Heron, an Eastern Region board member for AFRAM, gave a short presentation on the caucus (see related article). Overall, caucuses can serve as an entry point into union activities and help members become leaders.

Rookie U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was the featured speaker.

For more information on SEIU caucuses, visit: https://www.seiu.org/members.