Cynthia Schu Named OPEIU Director of Organizing

Schu joins the International after leading organizing efforts at OPEIU Local 8 in Washington State since 1991. During that time, she assisted OPEIU with a number of organizing campaigns.

"I'm thrilled at this opportunity to help build and enhance OPEIU's organizing programs that will continue to impact the lives of working people across the country," Schu said.

Schu has spent her career working to improve the lives of working people. "Freedom from Poverty through Action" served as the motto for the non-profit organization where she worked as a home care director after graduate school. "The motto was a contradiction, given the agency employed mostly middle-aged female caregivers with no health insurance or paid time off and poverty-level wages," Schu said. The injustice compelled her, with the support of her union, Local 8, to organize home care workers in Washington for the first time. The successful campaign resulted in health insurance, paid sick leave and wage increases for workers statewide.

After experiencing how union action can make a real difference in the lives of working people, Schu joined the staff of Local 8 in 1991 as an organizer. She had previously served for two years on the local's executive board. As organizer, and later organizing director, she helped thousands of health care, social service, office and public-sector workers successfully unite in a union. Local 8's commitment to organizing was recognized with multiple awards under Schu's leadership, including the 2008 Henderson B. Douglas Memorial Award, OPEIU's highest organizing award.

In 2001, Schu was elected secretary-treasurer of Local 8, while continuing to serve as the local's organizing director. She has also served as a retirement plan trustee and as a member of various advocacy groups. She holds a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Washington.

ABOUT OPEIU

The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, represents more than 103,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees and independent contractors in credit unions, hospitals and medical clinics, insurance, higher education, transportation, shipping, utilities, hotels, administrative offices and more.

Professional organizations and guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes registered nurses, podiatrists, clinical social workers, teachers, Minor League Baseball umpires, and helicopter pilots.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161004/414973

SOURCE Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO (OPEIU)

Related Links

http://www.opeiu.org