SEIU Caucuses---Recommendations

Where caucuses exist, we want them to be vital and have the opportunity to develop.  That support for programs consistent with the Union's goals should take the following forms:

• We recommend that Caucuses take advantage of opportunities available through SEIU to facilitate the flow of information about their programs and activities and the process for contacting and joining caucuses.  This could take the form of notices in SEIU Action, or a website posting.
  
  

• We recommend that SEIU continue to provide support for Caucus conferences and other programs.  SEIU staff can help provide educational materials and secure presenters.  The Social and Economic Justice Committee should review, on a periodic basis, whether there is a need for additional technical support based upon increased Caucus activity.
  
  

• We recommend that SEIU affirm the desirability of participating in Caucus programs and activities that advance the Union's program.  SEIU support for Caucus activities should be communicated to leaders and members at union gatherings and through SEIU communication vehicles aimed at the general membership - not only to the Caucus members themselves.
  
  

• We recommend that each Caucus be encouraged to develop specific goals and objectives that advance the New Strength Unity Program.
  
  

• We recommend that Caucuses should be able to apply for a "base" financial resource to help support communication and outreach to current and potential caucus members, along with support received from local unions and individual members.  The Social and Economic Justice Committee should develop uniform standards for determining both the amounts of resource that is available and the accountability that will be required.
  
  

• We recommend that SEIU consider making program resources available based upon contracting for specific activities in support of the Union's program (e.g. - developing a network of translators for the organizing department).  There would be accountability for each of these contracts.
  
  

• We recommend that SEIU maintain the policies reflected in the current guidelines for caucuses as useful and workable.
  
  

• We recommend that the Social and Economic Justice Committee consider inviting SEIU Caucus representatives to make reports.  Reporting can be an important part of caucus responsibility.  Reports from caucus leaders will ensure that issues are raised and the rest of the union understands the activities and contributions of the caucus and its members.
  
  

• We recommend that SEIU continue to take responsibility for social and economic justice.  Caucuses are not the only sources of social and economic justice issues.  Promoting social and economic justice and ensuring that these issues are integrated into the union's strategy and agenda is the responsibility of all SEIU leaders.  Just because there is no SEIU caucus activity around some important issue does not mean that we can afford to neglect it.  Where caucuses exist, it does not relieve SEIU of the responsibility to lead on those issues.¹¹
  
  

• We recommend that Caucuses should make their own determination about what role IEB members should play.
  
  

• We recommend that caucuses develop guidelines and take other steps to ensure that their resources are handled appropriately.

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           ¹¹We are mindful that not all social and economic justice issues fit into a caucus agenda and that a Social and Economic Justice Committee needs to understand when something is best done through a caucus or through some other mechanism.  SEIU's advocacy for the right of immigrant workers is an example of the kind of social and economic justice initiatives that should continue.

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