SEIU Convention Passes Resolution on Racial Justice

November 10, 2022

On Saturday, October 22, SEIU 888 held its annual convention in Braintree. The event was attended by members from across sectors and across the state. It also featured visits from SEIU 888 endorsed candidates and Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman. Importantly, the convention passed a resolution on racial justice that was previously approved by the SEIU 888 Executive Committee.

On Saturday, October 22, SEIU held its annual convention in Braintree. The event was attended by members from across sectors and across the state. It also featured visits from SEIU 888 endorsed candidates and Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman.

Importantly, the convention passed a resolution on racial justice that was previously approved by the SEIU 888 Executive Committee. The resolution reads, in part:

“Whereas, even in the 21st-century, Black and Brown communities feel the threat of discrimination, in housing, education, employment, health care, credit, services, and treatment in public places; and

“Whereas, disparate policies will not be tolerated by SEIU, Local 888, or the chapters and units which SEIU Local 888 represents. We preach solidarity and now is the time to take a stand as well as act on that word.

“Therefore be resolved, SEIU Local 888 hereby creates a “Committee on Racial Justice” whose purpose will be to educate, organize, and mobilize Local 888 members, staff and leaders on the issues of racial injustice and disparities, and will work towards stopping racial attack racial attacks on Black and Brown communities and advance policies for racial equality.

“Therefore be it further resolved, this committee will work with other al- lies in the community and the work- place, and include others in the labor movement who have been under at- tack and will address these attacks.

“Be it finally resolved, the Executive Board of SEIU Local 888 hereby declares that the struggle for racial justice is of paramount importance to the goals and aspirations of its members as well as all working people of Black and Brown communities and their generations.”

Pictured Above: 888 Executive Board Racial Justice Committee presenting a resolution declaring the struggle for racial justice as paramount to the goals of the Local: Left to right: Anita Christon (888 Recording Secretary, Boston Office of Housing), Rachel Idowu (888 Executive Board Member, Boston Housing Trust Fund Administrator), Lorna Heron (888 Executive Board Member, Boston Age Strong chapter president).