200 Family Services Foundation Workers Join SEIU 500

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Two hundred workers at the Family Services Foundation (FSF) are now “proud brothers and sisters” in SEIU Local 500. The workers voted overwhelmingly on July 18 to join the union after union supporters and Local 500 organizers “worked tirelessly, making dozens of visits to the homes of employees of the Family Services Foundation and making hundreds of phone calls,” reports Local 500. “I want a union to establish a trusting and quality environment that is in the benefit of both the customers and the staff,” said FSF employee Patricia Charles. Fellow worker Lashell Dantzler’s (photo) reason for supporting the union was even simpler: “I support the union for better pay.” Bargaining for a first contract is expected to begin soon. The Landover Hills based FSF provides mental health and substance abuse counseling services, day habilitation, residential programs, psychiatric rehabilitation, HIV/AIDS outreach and education to individuals, groups, couples and families throughout Suburban Maryland, Metro Baltimore, Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore.