UNITE HERE Delivers Crushing Blow to SEIU in PhiladelphiaRandy Shawbyline‚ Oct. 28‚ 2009SEIU’s campaign to take over key UNITE HERE locals suffered a major setback yesterday, as 2300 workers at the Philadelphia School District voted by a 2-1 margin to remain affiliated with UNITE HERE rather than switch to SEIU. The New York‑based SEIU 32BJ had led efforts to win the election, viewing Philadelphia as a stepping stone to its larger goal of taking over all of UNITE HERE’s food service locals. Instead, workers dealt SEIU a crushing 1,121-551 defeat. UNITE HERE’s victory comes after recent wins over SEIU in St. Louis and among Delaware North company food service workers, indicating that not only has SEIU’s attempted raids failed, but UNITE HERE is even stronger today than when SEIU’s attacks began. |