3 Days in Baltimore

Delegate Denise Clarke shares her impressions of June’s SEIU Healthcare Conference.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22:
There are 34 people in our group, proudly representing hospital, clinic and nursing home workers. There are PCAs (patient care assistants) here from California, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania—hundreds and hundreds. This is an exciting moment.

At the evening reception I was standing in front of a purple curtain when a door opened and out stepped the still charismatic Sen. Ted Kennedy. In his speech, he talked about every U.S. senator having health care for themselves and their families. Why not everyone else? He talked about the cost of his son’s cancer treatments—$3,000 every three weeks—and families who sold their houses to pay for treatments in hopes of keeping their children alive for another 12 months. He talked about the war. He voted against it.

Listening to Sen. Kennedy was the highlight of the event for me. My mother was in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles and had just walked across the lobby when Sen. Robert Kennedy was assassinated. I remember my parents lighting a candle when JFK was assassinated and telling me he was a special man. I’m half black and half Spanish, but was raised in a progressive, white, Jewish family. I remember hearing about all the good things the Kennedys did, so seeing Sen. Kennedy was awe-inspiring.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23:
I was very excited to meet workers from California last night, but by the time I left them, I was saddened and depressed hearing about my home state. All that kept going through my mind was “slave labor!”

Today’s convention opening is “the launch of a 25-year dream” and there is a show of confidence in Dennis Rivera’s leadership. There were special guests: Massachusetts PCAs and New York City home attendants who recently became part of the Union. We heard about a D.C. homecare election where there was a sign on the door that read, “This is not a union facility and never will be!”

Spirits were high at the Baltimore launch of SEIU Healthcare in June.

During a talk by SEIU Pres. Andy Stern silence swept across the room as he told the history of 1199 from its split into three groups into what it has become today. Nursing home workers were proud to be recognized. Then nurses stood united, followed proud and strong by hospital workers.

During a flag ceremony, I was so proud when California was announced and got one of the longest and loudest applause of the morning. I was also very surprised to see how well nurses are being represented. At Lynn Community Health Center we only have one nurse who is a delegate.

Finally it was time for 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East to be announced! There was a deafening roar. I felt proud of my adopted home state Massachusetts as a beautiful smiling woman waved our flag. All of a sudden there was a hissing sound, the band began playing “We Are Family” and purple, white and gold confetti was blown from cannons. Flags were waving. Everyone was singing. Cameras were flashing and a line of about 200 people began doing the electric slide.

One of the things I’d like is more information tables or maybe even a booth where we can purchase things like key chains and bumper stickers to bring back to our delegates. Also I’d like to have more written information to bring back to our general membership.

After a break, Loretta Murray, a personal care worker from Virginia, spoke about her 20 years of struggle to support her family with low wages and no health insurance. She’s finally going to get what she should have had all along. She was so moving. What happened? To see all these healthcare workers without health care is just criminal.

There’s a political action push. I’d like to be able to contribute more, but I’ve been the only person working in my home for three years because my significant other is disabled. During an open Q and A on how we as healthcare workers can change health care, no one answered the question that was put on the floor. People kept talking about where they worked and working conditions. All in all, it was an informative day. I just wish more had been accomplished idea-wise.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24:
All day yesterday in the big hall was long and grueling. I find myself wishing we had done more workshops like the ones on political action we are doing this morning. I guess I was hoping there was going to be more brainstorming and more Q and As on how to accomplish our goals. I enjoyed the entertainment, the stories, and the camaraderie. Talking to all the other people about their struggles reminds me that we do have a good contract (except in the area of our pay, but then again, who does?).

I am hoping to attend next year’s SEIU convention, but why do I have to leave here today?! The people of Baltimore have been so warm and friendly to all of us. I hope to come back and visit some day. Good ideas and thoughts have come out of this event. I go home with renewed feelings that we can take back our country and make it once again the strong proud place that I remember it once was. It’s going to take unions—all unions—and the voice of the people to bring home our dream of universal health care for all.