On August 24, 2025, AEC members met with SEIU 503’s Executive Director and President to begin the conversation of the systemic racism in SEIU 503. 

In the AEC’s recent meeting with leadership, we made it clear: racism is not a mistake — racism is violence.

Here’s where our demands stand:
✅ Formal written apology: Issued privately to Ibrahim but not made public.
❌ Independent, member-led investigation: Leadership refused, limiting to an internal review.
⚠️ Whistleblower protections: Leadership hesitated but verbally committed that retaliation will not be tolerated.
❌ Dismissal of responsible staff: Discipline confirmed, but leadership refused dismissal.
✅ Public accountability town hall: Agreed, led by caucuses and OEIB Staff.
✅ Union-wide equity audit/training: Agreed, will meet to discuss.
⚠️ End retaliation and narrative manipulation: Leadership did verbally agree to no retaliation; leadership does not agree with the narrative.

Leadership admitted to three major process failures in communications and conceded: “This was a total failure in process. That doesn’t negate the impact of it, though.”

While they continue to resist on an independent investigation and narrative manipulation, our organizing forced them to the table and won commitments on several key demands.

We will hold leadership to their promises through an accountability check-in in 2 weeks, a public town hall, and continued member organizing.

This fight is not over. Racism has no place in our union, and accountability cannot be delayed.

Please continue to share this petition and we will be providing ongoing updates. 

The Accountability and Equity Coalition

Nannette D. Carter-Jafri, SEIU503 Sub-Local 99 Homecare Steward, President SEIU503 AFRAM Caucus, VP SEIU Western Region African American Caucus (WRAAC) for Oregon

Alice Robinson, Exec. Board Member - Sublocal 294; Secretary - SEIU 503 AFRAM Caucus

Denise Piza, Latinx Caucus Co-Chair, Sublocal 219 Chair and Steward

Hortensia Blanco, Latinx Caucus Co-Chair

Amber Henderson, Vice Chair Sublocal 219

Lisa Finkle, Sublocal 219 Co-Chief Steward

Paulita Peña-Urenda, SEIU International and SEIU 503 Indigenous Peoples Caucus Co-Chair 

Carmen Morales Arnbrister, District 16, Chair & Steward

Gina Esqueda, CHRC Liaison

Sarah Nelson, Co-Coordinator Lavender Caucus, Sublocal 392 Steward And CAT