Most important, we are making changes to ensure that abuses such as this never happen again.
We are calling on every SEIU local across the country to immediately adopt a standard code of ethics -- guidelines the International Union adopted several years ago -- that protects the interests of members. The new rules:
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 23 Editorial pages Desk 1 inches; 36 words Type of Material: Correction
Union leader: A Sept. 8 Op-Ed article on reforming the Service Employees International Union misstated the affiliation of Alejandro Stephens. He was never the president of Local 721. He is the former president of Local 660.
* Prohibit conflicts of interest and nepotism by barring any SEIU officer or manager from deals involving a family member, a personal financial interest or the interest of a business partner;
* Ban accepting gifts or payments from restricted sources, such as employers negotiating with any SEIU local union;
* Strictly limit personal use of union property;
* Make sure trust accounts established to fund health, welfare or retirement benefits aren't used to pay officers or managers; and
* Prevent individuals convicted of a felony related to abuse of their employment from serving as union officers or managers.
In addition, we have established a commission on ethics and standards to find ways to beef up our ethics education and enforcement. We will ask the commission to come back in 90 days with a comprehensive package of recommendations on how to make sure that our leadership from Los Angeles to Washington is held accountable. When we come out on the other side of this, we want the SEIU to represent organized labor's ethical gold standard.
At the SEIU, we are committed to leading a reform movement within labor. That means setting the highest standards of honesty and integrity. If we want to continue to be the voice of millions seeking fairness in their workplace, we can be nothing less.
