SEIU Local 221 Bylaws Pass

The SEIU Local 221 bylaws were ratified by the membership, passing by 73%. The ratification of the bylaws became effective at 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2009. Members began casting their bylaws votes by mail in February and voted in person the week of March 9-14, 2009.

The bylaws election and vote tally was conducted by an independent agency, Merriman River Associates. Four observers were present for the bylaws ratification vote tally process. 
Dan Marks, SEIU Local 221 Controller, representing the membership of Local 221;
Marge Johnson, SEIU Local 221 Executive Board Member, representing the membership of Local 221;
Rachel Gillette, Esq., Independent Counsel, representing Merriman River Associates
Matthew Finch, representing Merriman River Associates.
 
Background
It was decided that the broadest committee possible would ensure a strong member voice in the bylaw process. As stated in the February 4, 2008, President's Letter mailed to the entire membership, any member who was interested in being on the committee was asked to contact Alecia Bacon by February 15, 2008.

We had members step up to meet the challenge. Since the committee is made up of volunteer members, their meeting schedule and pace is dictated by the group. They meet twice a month, preparing a set of bylaws that was presented, reviewed, and voted on by the members.

In preparation of the final vote there were regional meetings. The meetings allowed members to review, comment, and make suggestions to the Bylaw Committee.

The Bylaws Committee considered every suggestion made during the review process. The committee then issued a final bylaw proposal for ratification.

Local 221 will have a complete election for the President and Executive Board of Local 221 within a reasonable time after the ratification of the Local 221 bylaws.

 To view the Bylaws, click here.

Local 221 and Provisional Governance

On March 1, 2006, SEIU Local 221 was chartered by SEIU International Union President Andy Stern. The formation of Local 221 was a result of the 2004 International Union convention where delegates voted to unite public sector locals into larger more powerful unions. Under this plan, called Unite to Win, the International held hearings to determine the best way to merge local unions in California’s public sector to build strength for members.

Unite to win merged nineteen public sector locals into four creating Locals 1021, 721, 521, and 221. Our union Local 221 was the result of merging Locals 535 and 2028. Our union number represents the fact that 2 unions united to become one (2 to 1). Local 221 was also given jurisdiction in the Imperial Valley and was chartered as a provisional local for up to three years. As a provisional local the International union established interim bylaws and appointed our President, Sharon-Frances Moore.

Unlike our brothers and sisters at 1021, 721, and 521, there was no local leader from a legacy local that could be appointed so the International Union engaged the following process to appoint President Moore.

Local 221 established a hiring committee consisting of Executive Board members. Under their direction and in conjunction with Provisional President Marc Earls, a hiring committee was established to seek out candidates to take to International President Andy Stern. The hiring committee consisted of both Executive Board members and staff.

First the hiring committee requested that the International hire a nation-wide recruiting firm to search the United States for a qualified candidate.

The recruiter worked extensively with Interim President Marc Earls to establish criteria for the process and consulted with the local to establish criteria. The recruiter held two pre-interviews with each candidate and chose the top candidates. Each candidate was interviewed by the Provisional President and the top candidates were presented to the hiring committee. Each candidate was interviewed by the committee and a recommendation was taken to the Executive Board.

After deliberations the Executive Board selected Sharon-Frances Moore to take to President Stern for consideration. President Stern appointed Sharon-Frances Moore the President of SEIU Local 221.