Lewd comments, threats, and unsolicited groping: No, this isn’t an excerpt from Harvey Weinstein’s trial. It’s how staff members at the Service Employees International Union, and some of its most prevalent locals, described working at the labor union.
Though some of the accusations are disturbingly similar, political candidates quick to condemn Weinstein have been much less vocal when it comes to the growing number of sexual assault allegations surrounding the SEIU.
Recently released interviews and testimony from dozens of union employees identify an “alcohol-fueled party culture” at some SEIU locals, where alleged “sexual misconduct thrived.” A lawsuit filed by former union employee Mindy Sturge against SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West exposes a culture of sexual harassment among the union’s top leaders.
By many accounts, SEIU Vice President Dave Regan and his former right-hand man Marcus Hatcher were known to “party at union events, often drunkenly propositioning subordinates.” “Top lieutenants” UHW Vice President Stan Lyles and Hospital Division Director Chokri BenSaid have been accused of similar offenses. One woman described Lyles cornering her in a hotel room: “I thought I wouldn’t get out alive.” Another employee said he heard BenSaid “yell at a subordinate after she refused his sexual advances.”
Unfortunately, these aren’t isolated accusations. Women across the country have spoken up about abuse at the hands of SEIU officials.
According to news reports, four officials from the union’s Fight for $15 campaign in Detroit and Chicago either resigned or were fired amid an investigation into sexual harassment, which was described as an “open secret” by staff. In Massachusetts, allegations against two union officials have also surfaced.
Employees hoping SEIU President Mary Kay Henry would act on these accusations quickly learned not to hold their breath.
Sturge wrote multiple letters to Henry regarding the issue, even invoking the union’s own mission to “provide a fair and dignified workplace for its members.” Sturge hoped in vain that this sentiment would be applied to union staff as well. She was told the international union had “no role in investigating” concerns at local unions.
It seems workers faced apathy from the union on the one hand and threats on the other. When former UHW employee Njoki Woods came forward to corroborate Sturge’s claims, she was fired. In a recent lawsuit filed against her by the union, Woods claimed the union warned employees that “the SEIU-UHW would ‘go after’ members who made allegations against the union.”
Though Sturge, Woods, and several others have come forward about the egregious behavior of union officials, many more employees are still afraid to speak out. And why shouldn’t they be, when current complaints have either “gone nowhere” or put employees’ jobs at risk?
Just like Weinstein’s victims, these women deserve a voice. If the SEIU won’t give them one, it’s time another advocate stepped up to the plate.
Who better to speak out than the presidential candidates, many of whom have already decried other organizations that faced #MeToo accusations? But taking a stance could have serious financial implications, especially for campaigns hoping for an endorsement from the SEIU.
On the other hand, perhaps having its political donations rejected would be just the push the union needs to clean up its act.
Charlyce Bozzello is the communications director at the Center for Union Facts, a 501(c)(3).
