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The '''Service Employees International Union''' (SEIU) is a large, politically powerful [[labor union]] with 2 million members in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], and [[Puerto Rico]], and the largest union of property service workers in the United States. The SEIU says they are "dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society". It is closely affiliated with the [[Democratic Party]] and is tightly controlled by labor boss [[Andy Stern]], the president since 1996.  At a time when most unions are shrinking, SEIU has grown rapidly; only the [[National Education Association]] is larger.   

The '''Service Employees International Union''' (SEIU) is a large, politically powerful [[labor union]] with 2 million members in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], and [[Puerto Rico]], and the largest union of property service workers in the United States. The SEIU says they are "dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society". It is closely affiliated with the [[Democratic Party]] and is tightly controlled by labor boss [[Andy Stern]], the president since 1996.  At a time when most unions are shrinking, SEIU has grown rapidly; only the [[National Education Association]] is larger.   

About 40% of the membership comprises public employees, whose employers are federal, state, and local governments. The employers answer to voters not shareholders, and politically powerful unions like SEIU have a strong voice at the polls,. Government agencies do not have to fear that strikes will give an advantage to their competition--they have little local competition and no fears of international competitors--so strikes are not common. But the voting power of SEIU means local and state politicians--especially Democrats--are willingly agree to union recognition and enter into long-term collective bargaining contracts with votes as an implicit side payment. A large portion of the SEIU membership comprises women, minorities, and immigrants--groups that historically were hard to organize.

About 40% of the membership comprises public employees, whose employers are federal, state, and local governments. The employers answer to voters not shareholders, and politically powerful unions like SEIU have a strong voice at the polls. Government agencies do not have to fear that strikes will give an advantage to their competition--they have little local competition and no fears of international competitors--so strikes are not common. But the voting power of SEIU means local and state politicians--especially Democrats--are willingly agree to union recognition and enter into long-term collective bargaining contracts with votes as an implicit side payment. A large portion of the SEIU membership comprises women, minorities, and immigrants--groups that historically were hard to organize.

The SEIU operates with a well-paid skilled staff and has a presence in virtually every major American city.

The SEIU operates with a well-paid skilled staff and has a presence in virtually every major American city.