Improving Schools and

Communities2012 YEO National Convening

Washington, D.C.

SEIU engaged in fight for better schoolsWe represent 200,000 school employees (bus

drivers, aides, cafeteria workers) around the country.

Our members’ #1 concern is education. Our members’ children attend the nation’s

most challenging schools. 7 percent of LA school district students are children of SEIU members.

Access to quality education is essential social and economic justice issue.

SEIU Partners with School Districts for Greater Efficiency

Solution focused-how can front line workers help improve services or save money. Re-usable trays, better bus routes, smaller administrations.

Green schools-custodians can be trained to manage energy costs and increase compost/recycling.

Establish standing quality public service councils.

SEIU Partners with School Districtsfor Better Outcomes

Rigorous standards and professional development in Montgomery County school for all employees.

Philadelphia schools trained security guards to provide positive reinforcement on behavior and dress (focus on teenage boys) and to do mediations.

SEIU Charter school in Chicago-joint project of AFT, SEIU and Johns Hopkins.

Winning for Workers (and communities) in Tough Times

Community CashEmergency Micro LoansCity worker homeowner policiesBetter schedulesOnsite health clinics

Meeting Demand for New Revenue-Millage Increases

Developed People’s Budget in St. Pete4200 resident filled out paper and online

surveys92% support foreclosure ordinance76% support modest increase in property

taxes to maintain servicesMedia notes “Citizens call for higher taxes”

Meeting Demand for New Revenue-Fair Property Tax Appraisals

The rich and corporations hire attorneys to get a leg up in Florida’s property tax appeal system.

Palm Beach county disproportionately readjusts the home values of rich people’s homes.

District lost $11.2 million in revenue between 2009 and 2011, of which $9.8 million came from properties worth over $1 million.

We call on the VAB to increase transparency and make its process fairer for all .

New Revenue—Getting a Fair Deal from Banks

Swaps-Palm Beach Schools forced to overpay $16.7 million annually to Citibank and UBS.

The costs could climb to over $21 million per year if another toxic swap deal is triggered by the banks in summer of 2012.

New Revenue—Getting a Fair Deal from Banks

Community groups pressure local governments to set standards for the banks with whom they do business.

In Minneapolis, NOC pressured school board to open up payroll services (then held by Wells Fargo) out for competitive bid, which utilized community standards questionnaire and a public hearing.

Our schools local in MN is bargaining with employers over their banking relationships. Lower fees and borrowing costs help everyone.

New Revenue-Foreclosure FeesForeclosures cost localities a lot of money.We propose ordinances that set standards for

property upkeep, require banks to register vacant properties and to pay a fee for administration and maintenance. It also would sets penalties for lenders that fail to comply.

In addition, local governments should require all banks that they do business with to meet criteria for foreclosure prevention and make public information about underwater homes and foreclosure modification.

SummaryWorkers must promote positive budget

solutions that can save government money and improve services.

In addition to winning for members, we must be a voice for the common good—better schools and better neighborhoods.

We must be clear about the real reasons for our current economic crisis.

There is no way around it—government is underfunded and we need new and fair revenue solutions.