SEIU 503 Sisters & Brothers! I’m Guillermo Romero. I work in Astoria for Child Welfare as a Social Services Specialist. I’m running for the 503 Board, Region 7. My qualifications include experience as a Social Worker for the State of Washington, a Housing Counselor for a non-profit agency, and in the private sector as an attorney. As a child growing up in a Mexican family in a predominately white culture and working through the white privilege system qualifies me to be your Board Representative. Growing up, my family was in constant “survival mode,” as many of our 503 members currently experience. It’s unfortunate even in 2020, that too many of our 503 Sisters and Brothers and their families face obstacles of economic inequities, social injustice and systemic racism. My involvement with unions started as a young man. I volunteered for the United Farm Workers Union during the 1960’s & 70’s in California and Idaho. My organized labor exposure included participation in Farmworker union actions and Chicano politics. The Chicano movement and Civil Resistance to the Viet Nam war taught me the importance of people working together in unity and solidarity to create social change. In November 2012 I became a Union Steward, a position which I still hold. I served 2 terms as an elected CAPE delegate. I’m CAPE Region 1 Chair, serving on the CAPE Executive Committee. I Chaired sub-local 201 from 2016-2020. I’m the Co-Chair of the 503 Civil and Human Rights Committee, and active in the Latinx Caucus. I’ve participated in Lobby Days and was appointed to the 2020 General Council Planning Committee. The experience I’ve gained as a union leader the past 9 years qualify me to be your SEIU Board Director. We live in a time of social unrest, political controversy and a health crisis which requires strong leadership. My decision to run for SEIU Board Director provides opportunities to take positive action to challenge unfair laws and fight negative, discriminatory interests that are detrimental to our union and our members. I will strive to bring improved information access for our members and to broaden the diversification and participation of groups within our union membership. Personally, I have two great sons and five grandchildren. I am an avid hiker, fly kites, and love kayaking. I respectfully stand before you my Union Sisters and Brothers and ask for your vote.