Andy Stern SEIU Convention Speech Speech Live Webcast

You can see SEIU President Andy Stern addressing the 2008 SEIU convention by going to this website:  SEIU 2008 Convention, Ustream.TV: Streaming live from SEIU's 2008 Convention in Puerto Rico.

[Update] Here is an embed that will also stream ongoing convention activities after Stern's talk: Online Video provided by Ustream

Update [2008-6-2 14:37:49 by Todd Beeton]:This was an absolute barn-burner of a speech. The membership in this hall was absolutely rapt by Andy's message of "justice for all, not just us" and "we are our brother's and sister's keeper." Up on the jumbotron, you could see the tears welling in the eyes of people who stood up and cheered Andy, the people in this hall were clearly moved by the speech. There's been more than a little political theatre at play here, especially the "Deal of the Century"-like graphics announcing the landmark of crossing 2,000,000 members, but no matter how theatrical the speech and the presentation were, the reaction by the membership was clearly genuine.

Update [2008-6-2 14:44:30 by Todd Beeton]:Two women, non-union workers, just left the stage after telling their stories, again, a genuinely moving moment in what is generally a fairly scripted theatrical affair. They spoke of making in the area of $7 an hour, having to work several jobs and still living paycheck to paycheck. They have no healthcare insurance, one woman spoke of being one paycheck away from being homeless, unable to save for retirement and unable to visit her grandchild in NY. That's when she broke down and I heard to my right in the back of the room: "That's OK, take your time, darlin." She stopped speaking to collect herself and the place rose to their feet in solidarity with their sisters, many wiping away tears. It was a reminder to me of why we're fighting for what we're fighting for.



Display:


Uno (none / 0)


"McSame: He's Constipated and Ready to GO!
by Al Rodgers on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 01:59:04 PM EST

Re: Andy Stern SEIU (none / 0)

Thanks.  I think he is on the right track with a union movement that seeks to help all.  

Changing to Win.


by TomP on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:19:32 PM EST

Tips for the Puerto Rican teachers... (none / 0)

Andy Stern is facing an ongoing protest encampment at this convention by Puerto Rico's teacher union, who are furious at the North American SEIU for meddling in a historic Island-wide teachers strike and using political connections to try to take over the independent and popular teachers' union just as they are in the midst of fighting to improve horriffic educational conditions.

Read the full story here, but I will quote Rafael Feliciano Hernandez, President of the teachers' union: "The government of Puerto Rico has made an alliance along with the SEIU to try us to destroy because we not only represented the teachers, but also the demands of the people and the education communities for social justice."


Join the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee to fight for guaranteed, single-payer healthcare: www.GuaranteedHealthcare.org/blog
by California Nurses Shum on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:51:27 PM EST

Re: Tips for the Puerto Rican teachers... (none / 0)

Here's a link to a Juan Gonzalez article from the NY Daily News.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/02/ 29/2008-02-29_new_york_labor_leader_denn is_rivera_in_s.html
by Prison4BushCo on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 02:57:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Aren't you a ray of sunshine? (none / 0)

The only time you ever pop up is to attack the most vibrant union in America.

Calm down.  Attacking the SEIU hurts the whole union movement.


Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.
by cottonmouthblog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 05:50:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

drinking the purple kool-aid (none / 0)

so its OK for SEIU to attack other unions, but it is wrong for those unions to criticize SEIU.

and its OK for SEIU international to spend millions of dollars attacking its own 150,000 member west coast healthcare local, but wrong for that local to defend itself.

the cult of stern is what is ridiculous. we are all supposed to bow down to the great stern. after all he is the darling of the corporate media. isn't that what labor leaders are supposed to do? seek the blessings of big business media?

i guess that is where mother jones, big bill haywood and eugene debs all went wrong. they just didn't understand that unions are supposed seek "partnership" and "add value" to corporations.

its so easy to buy a blogger.


by aenglish on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:21:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well now that I'm paid off... (none / 0)

I've never received a cent from a labor organization, not a cent.

I don't have an opinion on Stern.

I base my opinion of the SEIU based on RESULTS.

Unions can stagnate or innovate.  SEIU chose the second and our nation is the better for it.

It sounds like you're a bit obsessed with the man and not the organization.


Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.
by cottonmouthblog on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:09:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nurses talk about SEIU corporatist results... (none / 0)


by aenglish on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:12:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Their Slogan (SEIU) Gets It Right (none / 0)

For All Of Us, not Just Us

For All Of US = SEIU working for greater unionization overall and therefore a stronger union position overall.

Not Just Us = Single unions can gain temporarily better results for members, but when at the expense of others and a weaker position nationally and within an industry it is not a progressive position.

SEIU = Justice For ALL


Please visit Cotton Mouth to support Mississippi progressives.
by cottonmouthblog on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 12:39:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

glad you are covering this. (none / 0)


John McCain is a Bush ally on Social Security.
by John DE on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 03:10:11 PM EST


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