People of every race, ethnicity, religion, age, physical ability, gender, gender expression and sexual orientation, we are the standard-bearers in the struggle for social and economic justice begun nearly a century ago by janitors who dared to dream beyond their daily hardships and to organize for economic se- curity, dignity, and respect. Gens de toutes races, ethnicités, religions, âges, aptitudes physiques, sexes, expressions sexuelles et orientations sexuelles, nous sommes les représentants de la bataille pour une justice économique et sociale, bataille initiée il y a déjà un siècle par des agents d'entretien qui ont osé rêver aù-delà de leurs dures labeures quotidiennes pour s'organiser en faveur de la sécurité économique, la dignité et le respect.

1. Mission Statement
of the
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
We are the Service Employees International Union, an or- Where union solidarity stands rm against the forces of
ganization of more than two million members united by the discrimination and hate and the unfair employment practices
belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they of exploitative employers.
provide and dedicated to improving the lives of workers and Where government plays an active role in improving the
their families and creating a more just and humane society. lives of working people.
We are public workers, healthcare workers, building ser- To achieve this vision:
vice workers, o ce workers, professional workers, and indus- We must organize unorganized service workers, extending
trial and allied workers. We seek a stronger union to build to them the gains of unionism while securing control over our
power for ourselves and to protect the people we serve. industries and labor market.
As a leading advocacy organization for working people, it We must build political power to ensure that workers’
is our responsibility to pursue justice for all. voices are heard at every level of government to create econom-
People of every race, ethnicity, religion, age, physical abil- ic opportunity and foster social justice.
ity, gender, gender expression and sexual orientation, we are the We must provide meaningful paths for member involve-
standard-bearers in the struggle for social and economic justice ment and participation in strong, democratic unions.
begun nearly a century ago by janitors who dared to dream We must develop highly trained and motivated leaders
beyond their daily hardships and to organize for economic se- at every level of the union who re ect the membership in all
curity, dignity, and respect. its diversity.
Our vision is of a society: We must bargain contracts that improve wages and work-
Where all workers and their families live and work ing conditions, expand the role of workers in workplace deci-
in dignity. sion-making, and build a stronger union.
Where work is ful lling and fairly rewarded. We must build coalitions and act in solidarity with
Where workers have a meaningful voice in decisions that other organizations who share our concern for social and
a ect them. economic justice.
Where workers have the opportunity to develop their tal- We must engage in direct action that demonstrates our
ents and skills. power and our determination to win.
Where the collective voice and power of workers is realized To accomplish these goals we must be uni ed—inspired
in democratic and progressive unions. by a set of beliefs and principles that transcends our social and
occupational diversity and guides our work.

2. MISSION STATEMENT 265
We believe we can accomplish little as separate individu- We believe we have a special mission to bring economic
als, but that together we have the power to create a just society. and social justice to those most exploited in our community—
We believe unions are the means by which working people especially to women and workers of color.
build power—by which ordinary people accomplish extraordi- We believe our future cannot be separated from that
nary things. of workers in other parts of the world who struggle for eco-
We believe our strength comes from our unity, and that nomic justice, a decent life for their families, peace, dignity,
we must not be divided by forces of discrimination based on and democracy.
gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, physical ability, sexual ori- We believe unions are necessary for a democratic society
entation, or immigration status. to prevail, and that unions must participate in the political life
We believe our power and e ectiveness depend upon the of our society.
active participation and commitment of our members, the de- We believe we have a moral responsibility to leave
velopment of our leaders, and solidarity with each other and the world a better place for our children—and everyone’s
our allies. children.