Presentation in Detroit Leads to New Members

September 26, 2007

On Sept 10, 2007, the City of Detroit members of SEIU Local 517M welcomed five new members to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

The new members are: Rhonda Tidwell from General Service Department (GSD), Forestry Division; Jacqueline Havard, Gertrina Lusk, and Laurie Forte, held titles in DPW, Solid Waste Division; and, Tracey Jackson also from GSD, Maintenance Division.

All were promoted to the position of Environmental Control Inspectors. These new positions were opened after the successful presentation held in March of 2006 to the Detroit City Council. This presentation was led by Detroit’s Chapter President, Yolanda Langston, Local 517M Region 3 Coordinator Howard Gordon, and Local 517M Information Services Coordinator Dave Corrie who put together an impressive PowerPoint presentation.

We went in asking for our seven laid off members to be recalled. Five members were recalled back to work with the other two having separated from City service. Currently, we are expecting an additional three members due to unfilled vacancies. Please join us in welcoming our new members.

In Solidarity,
Yolanda Langston
Detroit City Chapter President