2004 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The Summit  in Chicago was  called in an attempt to gather all Black SEIU leaders (SEIU International EBoard, AFRAM National EBoard, AFRAM Regional EBoard and Black SEIU Local Union leaders who are not International or AFRAM officers) together in an effort to form a united agenda around issues which are important to Black SEIU members, prior to the upcoming SEIU Convention.

Those issues vary from one person to another, and even from one region to another. What we want is open dialogue where people can express and hopefully resolve issues which are relevant from their perspectives.

A major issue is the increasing hostility, distrust, and mis-information campaign, which is dividing us.

It's without question that the big shadow which hangs over all of this is the status of our sister EVP Ford.  Is she staying?  Is she going?  Is she being treated unfairly?  Is she being treated fairly?  If she's going, who replaces her?  What's the commitment or program relative to Blacks of the person who will replace her?  What role do we collectively play to make sure everybody's interests and issues are resolved?

It was never our intent to call a meeting of all SEIU Black members.   Approximately 50 invitations (copy below) were sent from a listing of officers and leaders.