Here’s a shortlist of key terms to become familiar with as you get involved with SEIU 668 and the labor movement:

Constitution: A governing document that establishes the Union as a local, self-governing entity. Articles of the constitution cover topics such as the mission, membership qualifications, methods of dues collection, member’s rights, definition and election procedures of officers, duties of elected officials, and methods for authorizing collectively bargained agreements and strikes. Check out SEIU Local 668’s Constitution.

Chapter: Regional offices and member groups of the bigger Local that have a governing board of elected officials as well as contact people that deal with broad union issues and local shop issues. Chapters also act as a means for the Union to train, educate, and involve members at a local level. Find out what Chapter you are in.

State/Local Union Work Committees: Committees consisting of elected and appointed union members from each Chapter. State and Local work Committees are specific to certain state and local jobs. The state and county Meetings are held regularly at a statewide or county level. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss and resolve issues specific to the workplace. Find out about SEIU 668’s State Unit Work Committees here. Find out more about our State and Local Unit Work Committees.

Standing Committees: Standing Committees consist of elected and appointed members from each Chapter. The committees represent members in specific special interest areas. Committee Representatives are responsible for reaching out to members and communicating with them to generate engagement and provide information to and from members regarding their issues. You can find out more about our Standing Committees.

Shop: A local workplace or site.

Shop Steward: Elected officers in a specific workplace that assess and process member grievances specific to their workplace and act as a bridge between their members and the local Chapter Executive Board. For Shop Steward information, click here.
Business Agents: Business agents are staff members at SEIU Local 668, who assist shop stewards with workplace issues and are involved in local or regional contract negotiations and enforcement of local and statewide agreements. They also help run the day-to-day affairs of Chapters. Find out who your Business Agent is by checking out your Chapter page.