In this new era of worker power, we’re on a mission to reach new heights for you. And today I wanted to share how we’re doing exactly that.
First, I’m pleased to announce that Michael Spitale will be taking on the new role of Senior Advisor to the President. Recently, our union has secured major commitments from Prime Minister Mark Carney to amend the tax system to put more money in the pockets of care workers, to strengthen retirement security for home and community care workers who are without a pension plan, and to invest in training for ALL healthcare workers. We must keep pushing, but these three opportunities are too big to slip through the cracks. That means Michael’s attention will now be focused on Ottawa to hold the government accountable, so we can deliver for you in big ways.
Second, it is with great enthusiasm that I announce the appointment of John Klein as Secretary-Treasurer of our union. John has been a member of our great union since 2010 after leading the campaign to organize his workplace. He joined our staff a year later as an organizer and held the positions of director of communications and director of organizing on his way to becoming our chief of staff, a position he’s passionately served since 2017. Over the past two years, I have asked John to lead the innovative and transformative work behind our first-of-its-kind SEIU Healthcare Training Centre, which includes our WorkersFirst Healthcare digital hiring hall platform. In this new era, John will continue this crucial work as we raise the bar on healthcare training and bring our bold visions to life. I’m excited for him join the Officer team.
Working together with Executive Vice-President Jackie Walker, and now with John as Secretary-Treasurer, we are building THE healthcare union that wins with and for members. And together, I know we will.
Sincerely,
Tyler Downey
President, SEIU Healthcare