Dear supporters,
We want to update you on our September 10 meeting with SEIU 503 leadership.

The meeting opened with leadership calling our approach “us vs. them,” citing a reporter as proof, and then lecturing us that we were not practicing equity or restorative justice “the right way.” This was said to a room of people of color — many of us equity professionals, caucus and community leaders. We know what equity means, because we live it, lead it, and carry the weight of it every day.

Moreover, they accused us–a room full of elected caucus leaders, sublocal officers, and General Council Delegates–of having no authority to demand change because we do not represent members. The executive leadership’s claims are hollow and telling projections given that–months after the fact–they still have not written a public apology that explicitly and unambiguously acknowledges that the bargaining update meme that went to tens of thousands of represented workers is anti-Black and racist. Their bad-faith dealings with us clearly demonstrates that they are afraid and incapable of running a truly democratic and equitable Union that is accountable to its members.

The rest of the meeting only confirmed why it is critical that we continue fighting for accountability:

Leadership refused to sign accountability commitments, saying written agreements felt “us vs. them.” Documenting our specific commitments is the basic standard necessary for accountability.
They misrepresented conversations, claiming certain members supported them. We checked. That was not true.

And now, an “anti-union” narrative is being spread. We have been told that people are saying the AEC is “anti-union.” This is false. We are made up of Caucus Leaders, Sublocal Officers, General Council Delegates, Chief Stewards, Stewards and Rank-and-File Members. We are the union!

They are trying to make unilateral decisions regarding public accountability via a town hall and an equity audit despite having repeatedly shown through their actions that they are inept at taking truly equitable action that is accountable to impacted communities without our direct intervention.

Why This Matters

This is not about personalities. It is about whether members can trust that our union’s values mean something and that our union leadership has the courage to implement and live them. Equity is not just a slogan. Accountability is not optional. Smearing member leaders for demanding accountability and equity only weakens our union and third-parties members from their own union.

What We’re Doing Next

- We are pushing for AEC to be included in every step of the equity audit process — from hiring consultants to reviewing findings and communications.

- We are preparing to lead the accountability town hall in partnership with OEIB staff.

How You Can Help

Stay with us in this fight. Share this petition with coworkers, family, and allies. Speak up when you hear misinformation. Remind others that accountability, equity, and democracy are what make us strong. Be ready to support calls-to-action in the near future if executive leadership continues to act unilaterally and ignore the member-leaders and communities who know better than them the work of equity and solidarity in the Union. We are not going away. We are determined to build the kind of union members deserve.

In unity and with resolve,

The Accountability & Equity Coalition (AEC)

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

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

Hortensia Blanco, General Council Delegate, Latinx Caucus Co-Chair

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

Amber Henderson, General Council Delegate, Vice Chair Sublocal 219

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

Carmen Morales Arnbrister, General Council Delegate District 16, Chair & Steward

Lisa Finkle, Sublocal 219 Co-Chief Steward

Gina Esqueda, CHRC Liaison

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