About Local 509
Raising living standards for working families; improving the quality and affordability of of the services we provide.
SEIU Local 509 represents nearly 20,000 human service workers and educators throughout Massachusetts. We provide a variety of social services to elders, at-risk children and people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities — as well as educational services in both public and private sector settings. From mental health clinicians and social workers to early childhood educators and university lecturers, Local 509 members are united in our mission to raise living standards for working families while improving the quality and affordability of the services we provide.
SEIU Local 509 is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union, the fastest-growing labor union in the United States. Focused on uniting workers in four sectors –- public services, long term care, property services, and hospital systems — SEIU is the nation’s largest health care union, the largest property services union, and the second-largest public employee union.
Mission Statement
The objectives of this Local Union shall be in general the objectives of the Service Employees International Union.
- To unite as Local 509 members within the jurisdiction of the Service Employees International Union for mutual welfare, protection, and advancement.
- To work as Union members in the establishment and maintenance of fair wages, hours, working conditions, and professional standards.
- To seek, organize, and unite all workers, eligible for membership herein, for their mutual advancement, both social and economic.
- To advance a mutual understanding of the Local and its activities in the communities in which our members live and work.
- To encourage and support women and members of minority groups to participate fully in the activities of the Local.
- To eradicate discriminatory practices by the employer and society at large.
- To seek to promote, whenever possible, the interests of the client community served by the Union.
- To foster the value of a public commitment for human services and education.
- To seek ways to improve the quality of service we provide.
- To help build a strong labor movement that his reflective of the needs of working men and women.
- To promote and encourage the involvement of members in the political process, including elections and other forms of political activity.
SEIU 509 Constitution and SEIU Code of Ethics
Solidarity principles
As part of our mission, and because we are a union of social workers, human service workers, and educators SEIU Local 509 is committed to fighting for social equity both in and outside of the workplace. We believe in respect and equity for all workers and people across genders, race, abilities, religions, age, country of origin and sexual orientation. In order to build a strong labor movement, we must make connections across our organizing work and stand together in the face of injustice. We know that we can not have economic justice without racial justice and solidarity across movements. In alignment with our vision, we stand for:
