Mary Kay Henry named president of the SEIU

WASHINGTON — Saturday marked an historic occasion for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as it elected the first woman to the head of the politically influential organization, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Mary Kay Henry, whose goal is to continue to maintain the union's strong political force, with hope for a meeting with President Barack Obama in the near future, was elected for her promise to "restore relations with the American labor movement," the story stated.

According to the story, Henry has made it known that she wishes to settle an on-going dispute between the SEIU and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE), both of which are battle over jurisdiction over some 300,000 hotel, gaming, airport and other workers nationwide.

Until her rise to the role of president, Henry was fairly unknown in the labor union field and detractors of her appointment have cited her lack of time served in the ranks as a detriment to the union, the story noted.

Stan Lyles, a SEIU steward at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, said: "Mary Kay is the kind of person who can communicate and tell you the facts. She listens to the members."

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