SEIU Stylebook
©©April
May 2010
2009
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
Table of Contents
Statement of Purpose........................................................................................................ 4
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions......................................................................... 5
Notes................................................................................................................................ 6-7
A to Z Guide to SEIU Word Style................................................................................ 8-38
Proofreader’s Marks.................................................................................................... 40-41
Identity Standards........................................................................................................... 42
SEIU Glossary of Special Uses in French
Glossaire anglais-français de certains termes utilisés
au sein de l’UIES............................................................................................................. 48
SEIU Glossary of Special Uses in Spanish
Glosario de terminología especial de SEIU.................................................................... 52
We are the Service Employees International Union, an organization
of more than 2.2 million members united by the belief in the dignity
and worth of workers and the services they provide and dedicated
to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a
more just and humane society.
©2010, Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Statement of Purpose
The following stylebook is to be used in conjunction with the most recent editions of the
Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
The stylebook includes (1) things we want to emphasize from the sourcebooks, (2) things we do
that deviate from the sourcebooks, (3) our preference where our sourcebooks offer two or more
correct choices, and (4) things our sourcebooks don’t cover, mainly terms and usages peculiar to
organized labor and to SEIU.
The SEIU Stylebook is a living document, subject to change as our language changes. This
document is intended to bring some consistency to SEIU’s approach to style and word usage
questions that develop during the course of writing and editing. Although it was developed
primarily as a guide for writers and editors, it may also serve as a useful resource guide for
all staff and members of the International union who write and edit myriad publications for
distribution.
It should be noted here, that lawyers and negotiators might need to depart from this stylebook
in the development of legal documents such as constitutions and contracts. Also, this book is not
intended to replace the International union’s administrative manual used by support staff in the
preparation of business letters.
This book does not attempt to set a style for the evolving communication by e-mail and other
electronic transmissions where fonts and service providers differ. Writers and editors should
use their own best judgment in dealing with questions as they arise in this burgeoning field of
technology.
1.
The official names for SEIU's divisions are:
•Property Services
•Public Services
•SEIU Healthcare
2. Healthcare is one word; home care, day care, and elder care are always two words.
Do not hyphenate.
3. SEIU is a member of the Change to Win federation (CTW).
4. The correct standards for using the SEIU Stronger Together logo can be found on Pages
42–47 of this stylebook. The SEIU logo is registered as a trademark with the U.S.
government. It is also registered with the Union Label Department of the AFL-CIO.
5. The official PMS colors for SEIU purple is PMS 268C for coated paper and apparel, and
PMS 2685U for uncoated stock.
6. All SEIU locals are encouraged to identify themselves as “SEIU Local” followed by the
number. If your local also goes by another name such as the New Hampshire State
Employees Association, place this name after the local union number.
7. Em dashes — and en dashes – are used instead of a floating hyphen or double hyphens.
See the notes section and the em and en dash references of this stylebook for proper usage.
8. Stronger Together, Unidos hacemos la fuerza (Sp.), Plus fort ensemble (Fr.), Unidos somos
más fuertes (PR).
“Communication is the heart and soul of a great union.”
—George Hardy
SEIU International President 1971–1980
9. Me or I? There is an easy way to remember whether you should say I or me: Leave the
other guy out of the sentence. If you're asking yourself: Is it "Chris and I went to the union
hall," or "Chris and me went to the union hall," just think of the sentence without Chris.
You wouldn't say: "Me went to the union hall." So "Chris and I" is correct. Nor would you
say: "Tony gave I the contract." Which is why: "Tony gave the contract to Chris and me." is
correct.
10.Worker's United, SEIU are 150,000 workers in the United States and Canada who work in
manufacturing, distribution, laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming, apparel and
textile industries.
Stylebook
5
Notes
1. Legal contracts as well as organizational constitution and bylaws often capitalize such common
nouns as the Employer, the Union, the Board, the Agreement, etc., but in normal text and
correspondence, such words are always lower case.
2. Em dashes (as opposed to hyphens) are placed by inserting the em dash symbol with no spaces
before or after.
First he did—then he didn’t.
Not:
First he did--then he didn’t.
First he did----then he didn’t.
First he did - then he didn’t.
3. Here’s how to type our name and address. [Please note the punctuation. The two-letter postal
code for states used in computer labels is not used in formal writing or text copy.]
SEIU, Service Employees International Union
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
4. Most punctuation marks go inside the close quotes:
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
But:
Robert claimed to be a “soldier of fortune.”
“Never,” said the duchess, “have I been so insulted.”
His name contained a “k,” an “r,” and an “x.”
Charles cried, “Banzai!”: It was the signal to attack.
5. Material edited for Canada should follow their spelling. A few common words are: colour,
theatre, honour, centre, labour, aluminium, favour, practise, behaviour. Canadian usage tends to
put punctuation outside close quotes [see Note 4] and put periods in abbreviations (S.E.I.U.) where
we do not (SEIU).
6. There’s no such punctuation mark as a floating hyphen. When you find yourself using it, stop
and do something else.
Not:
Instead,
do this:
1 - First analyze the problem.
2 - Then construct a list.
Guideposts - Gauging Success
Statistics - 1989
1. First analyze the problem.
2. Then construct a list.
Guideposts: Gauging Success
Statistics for 1989
Statistics (1989)
1989 Statistics
7. The proper way to identify an SEIU Local Union in Property Services or Public Services is as follows:
SEIU followed by Local and the local union’s number and letter combination designating state or
affiliation followed by a slash and any additional designation. A paranthetical phrase may be added to
identify the acronym.
The proper way to identify an SEIU Local Union in Healthcare is as follows:
"SEIU Healthcare" followed by the union's state or by the local union's number and letter combination.
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
All 1199s are districts except for New Jersey (1199NJ), upstate New York (1199Upstate), Florida
(1199FL), and Puerto Rico (1199PR), which are locals.
Examples:
SEIU Local 32BJ
SEIU Local 4053/PEF (Public Employees Federation)
SEIU District 1199P
SEIU Local 1199NJ
For Canadian locals: SEIU Canada Local 800
In headlines, abbreviate Local as L.
Correct:
L. 1107
8. Logos and News Articles
Modern trademark and copyright laws protect works of authorship and using similar marks
or goods that weakens the distinctive quality of the owned materials. If the union wishes to
replicate a company’s trademarked or copyrighted material in the public arena—such as using a
company’s logo or complete news article in, for instance, a newspaper enlargement in the building’s
entranceway, campaign white papers to be released, an annual report, or on a website—the union
should get permission or purchase the rights to use the material from the company. Rules of this
nature, however, are not intended to stifle criticism. Additionally, there are certain situations
where limited uses of the logo or parts of the work may be allowed without express permission,
such as in fair use applications, and you should work with legal counsel to determine if such use is
appropriate.
6
SEIU
Stylebook
7
A to Z Guide to SEIU Word Style
anti-union
Appendix 2, Appendix G
Correct:
Please refer to Appendix 2.
But:
Please refer to the second appendix of the book.
A
act [meaning a law]
Correct:
The Wagner Act was passed in 1935.
But:
The act was passed in 1935.
acute care [all uses][See also subacute care.]
Correct:
Hospitals are acute care facilities.
ad hoc [plain type]
administration
Correct:
The Reagan administration was a disaster.
Not:
The Reagan Administration was a disaster.
adviser [not advisor]
B
bargaining committee
bargaining survey
Bay Area [i.e., San Francisco]
benefited, benefiting
Not:
benefitted, benefitting
black [after “African American” on first mention, can use interchangeably] [not capitalized]
Correct:
We represent many black workers.
African American [no hyphen] [preferred for first mentions]
blackleg (n.)
AIDS [Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome]
Not:
AIDs, Aids, etc.
blog and/or blog post
a.m.
Not:
A.M., AM, am, etc.
American labor movement
Not:
American Labor Movement
& [ampersand]
Avoid except in firm names where a firm uses it, such as AT&T and most law firms.
anti-discrimination
anti-privatization
SEIU
AFL-CIO
[American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations]
Note: Do not refer to the AFL-CIO as a union. It is a federation of unions.
Not: A.F.L./C.I.O, AFL/CIO
AIDS victim [Do not use]
Correct:
people with AIDS, people living with AIDS
8
arbitration
blue-collar [compound modifier]
Correct:
They are blue-collar workers.
Not:
They are blue collar workers.
Blue Dog Democrat [Democratic Blue Dog Coalition]
Blue Cross/Blue Shield [note stroke]
bus, buses [the vehicles]
Not:
busses [the kisses]
buy back (v.), buyback (n., adj.)
Correct:
They’ll buy back our unused leave days.
Correct:
This is their buyback plan.
bylaws
Not:
by-laws, By-laws, etc.
Stylebook
9
C
Chicano[a]
Use Latino[a], avoid chicano[a] unless the specific individual or organization uses it.
CNA [Certified Nurse's Aide]
chief of staff
canvass [in elections]
Not:
canvas
child care [all uses]
Correct:
Child care is a major concern of working families.
Correct:
We need child care provisions in our next contract.
Correct:
What can we do about child care?
capital (city) or Capitol (the buiding)
Always capitolize when referring to specific buildings.
card-check [hyphen]—no longer used. *majority sign-up.
caregiver [all uses]
CAT [contract action team]
catalog [not catalogue]
But:
monologue, analogue [meaning analogous], etc.
But:
catalog and analog computer
CD [civil disobedience]
cents [spell out in text]
Correct:
He spent 15 cents.
Not:
He spent 15¢.
Not:
He spent $0.15.
cents/hour, cost/unit, etc.
[Avoid in text material. OK in charts, graphs to save space.]
Correct:
cents per hour, cost per unit
chair [not chairperson, chairman, or chairwoman]
Correct:
The following Canadian cities stand alone in stories.
Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto.
City Council
Correct:
She addressed the Boston City Council on the issue.
Also:
Capitalize without the name of a city when reference is specific.
citywide
CLC [Central Labor Council]
CLC [Canadian Labour Congress] [Always with a “u.”]
As an affiliate of SEIU, local unions in Canada are also affiliated with the CLC.
clerical workers [not clericals or clerics]
coalition-building [all uses]
Change to Win federation (CTW)
coinsurance
Chapter
Correct:
Correct:
COL [meaning “cost of living”]
Not:
C.O.L.
checkoff (n.),
Correct:
Correct:
Not:
10
The members will soon elect a chair for the convention.
Mary Smith is the chair of the convention.
Cities
The following U.S. cities stand alone and do not need a state designation.
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit,
Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee,
Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix,
Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle,
Washington,D.C. [Use D.C. to differentiate between city and state.]
SEIU
Please refer to Chapter 4 of the book.
Please refer to the fourth chapter of the book.
check off (v.)
Workers should check off their union dues.
We received dues checkoff in the new contract.
Workers should checkoff their union dues.
COLA [cost of living allowance]
COLON: If the phrase following a colon forms a complete sentence, capitalize the first
word. If it’s just a clause, leave it lower case.
Correct:
Here’s what we’re going to do: quit.
Correct:
Here’s what we’re going to do: We’re going to quit.
Not:
Here’s what we’ll do: Quit.
Stylebook
11
color, persons of, workers of
Never:
colored persons
combatting
Not:
combating
communism, communist
But:
Communist Party
COPE [Committee on Political Education]
Correct:
Every local union needs a COPE committee.
Correct:
She headed the Local 763 Committee on Political Education.
Correct:
She headed the Local 763 COPE committee.
Correct:
Every local union needs a committee on political education.
cost-containment measures
cost-cutting
Congress, U.S. Congress, congressional
Correct:
She is a member of Congress.
Not:
She is a member of congress.
Not:
She is on a Congressional committee.
Correct:
She is on a congressional committee.
congressperson [don’t use; use U.S. Representative or member of Congress]
constitution and bylaws
Correct:
Please consult the SEIU Constitution and Bylaws.
But:
Every nonprofit organization has a constitution and bylaws.
contract out (v.), contracting out (n.)
Correct:
The board decided to contract out the county’s mental health services.
convention
Correct:
But:
Also:
Correct:
Correct:
She attended an SEIU convention.
She attended the 18th SEIU International Convention.
International Convention when SEIU is implied.
She attended the Democratic National Convention.
He attended one of the Democratic conventions.
co-operation
coordination
Not:
co-ordination
co-pay
co-payments
12
SEIU
council
Correct:
Correct:
This is the Nurse Council of the SEIU Healthcare Division.
Several of the SEIU industry divisions are further organized into occupational councils.
county board of supervisors
Correct:
We attended a meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Also: Capitalize without the name of a city when reference is specific.
courts, Court
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
of Appeals, etc.
His case was heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.
His case was heard by the appellate court.
His appeal was heard by the 8th Circuit.
He was tried by a county court and sentenced to 99 years.
co-workers [Hyphenate words that describe occupation or status.]
crossfire
co-op
cooperation
Not:
cost of living, cost-of-living [compound modifier]
Correct:
The cost of living is going up.
Correct:
We need a cost-of-living adjustment to our pay.
cut back (v.),
Correct:
Correct:
Not:
cutback (n., adj.)
The employer claimed it was necessary to cut back their wages.
The employer inflicted wage cutbacks on the workers.
It was necessary to cutback their wages.
cut off (v.), cutoff (n., adj.)
Correct:
Management cut off our healthcare benefits.
Correct:
May 24 is the cutoff date.
Correct:
May 24 is the cutoff.
Stylebook
13
D
de-skilling
digital [Do not use as a synonym for online.]
day care [all uses]
Correct:
My church sponsors a day care center.
Correct: His parents decided to put Danny in day care.
disabled
Correct:
dead end (n.), dead-end (adj.)
Correct:
We have reached a dead end in our jobs.
Correct:
We all have dead-end jobs.
district attorney, U.S. District Court
Correct:
She is a district attorney at the U.S. District Court.
But:
This is District Attorney Jane Smith.
DECIMALS: 0.1, 0.274
Not:
.1, .274
division
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
Most of these local unions participate in the SEIU Public Services Division.
SEIU is divided into three industry divisions.
Several large unions have office worker divisions.
dollars
Correct:
Not:
Not:
Correct:
Not:
We spent $23 million for the computer.
We spent 23,000,000 dollars for the computer.
We spent 23 million dollars for the computer.
Our dues are $18 per month.
Our dues are $18.00 per month. [unnecessary zeroes]
decision-maker (n.), decision-making (n., adj.)
Correct:
We interviewed the top decision-makers.
Correct:
They had the decision-making power to launch the program.
degrees
Correct:
Correct:
bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate
M.D., M.A., Ph.D., J.D.
Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College.
delegate [or steward]
Democratic Party
(D-Ohio), (R-Calif.), (D-N.Y.)
Correct:
We spoke to Sen. Jane Smith (R-Calif.) today.
Not:
(D-OH), (R-CA), etc.
department [Do not abbreviate]
Correct:
This is our data processing department.
Correct:
This is SEIU’s Data Processing Department.
Correct:
This is the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Correct:
Many nations have a department of commerce.
Don’t: DOC, DOL, [Do not use acronyms.]
Instead: Commerce, Labor, Education, Transportation, etc.
people with disabilities
double-breasting [all uses]
drug-resistant TB [See also multidrug-resistant TB.]
dues checkoff
E
elder care [all uses]
Correct:
Elder care is a major issue in this decade.
Correct:
Elder care issues are receiving more attention.
Correct:
Let’s discuss the problem of caring for the elderly.
Election Day [the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November]
But:
Be sure to vote on primary election day.
14
SEIU
Stylebook
15
Ellipsis [These are used in place of a word or group of words and should be treated as
such in a sentence with a space before and after.]
Example: I ... tried to do what was best.
e-mail [lower case and hyphen]
ensure [meaning to make certain]
Not:
“insure” or “assure”
Correct:
We must ensure the success of the program.
Correct:
I assure you the program will be successful.
Correct:
We must insure every gold shipment.
Correct:
What assurance have they given us the program will succeed?
everyday (adj.), every day (adv.)
Correct:
Clerical workers are “everyday heroes.”
Correct:
Clerical workers are heroes every day.
Correct:
He wore his everyday clothes to the opera.
factsheets
fair share (n.), fair-share fee (adj.)
federal government
Not:
Federal Government
fee-for-service system
Figure
Correct:
Not:
flextime [all uses]
Correct:
Flextime is one of the bargaining issues.
Correct:
We operate on a flextime schedule.
flier [meaning leaflet]
focus, focused, focusing
Not:
focussed, focussing
foreword [of a book]
Not:
forward, foreward, etc.
for profit (adv.), for-profit (adj.)
Correct:
Beverly is a for-profit healthcare chain.
Correct:
Beverly operates for profit.
FRACTIONS: one-third, two-fifths [always hyphenate]
Correct:
One-third of the world is hungry.
Not:
One third of the world is hungry.
Correct:
She saw a three-quarters view of his profile.
Correct:
3-7/8, 10-15/16 [hyphen separates fractions from whole numbers; try
to avoid]
F
fact sheets
Not:
firsthand (adj. and adv.)
Please refer to Figure 8 on Page 4.
Fig., figure, FIGURE, etc.
front-line (adj.), front line (n.)
full time (adv.), full-time (adj.)
Correct:
Some of us work full time.
Correct:
Some of us are full-time workers, and
others work part time.
fundraising, fundraiser [all uses]
Correct:
We spend most of our time fundraising.
Correct:
We attended a fundraising gala.
16
SEIU
Stylebook
17
G
H
gay people [not homosexual (adj.) or homosexual(s) (n.)].
half time (adv.), half-time (adj.)
Correct:
She works half time at the store.
Correct:
She is a half-time worker.
But:
halftime (n.) [time between the two periods of a sporting event]
The performers who appeared during halftime were nonunion.
Note: Also:
“Gay community” should only be used when a similar reference to another
community would be appropriate, as in: The union’s efforts to promote recognition of labor’s contributions to human rights focused on the
gay community.
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT]
hand in hand (n.), hand-in-hand (adj.)
giveaway
hardworking (adj.) [no hyphen]
GOTV, get out the vote (v.), get-out-the-vote (adj.)
Correct:
They ran a GOTV campaign.
Correct:
They ran a get-out-the-vote campaign.
Correct:
They will work hard to get out the vote this November.
healthcare [all uses] one word
Correct:
Healthcare concerns us all.
Correct:
Healthcare problems concern us all.
healthcare reform
Not:
Health Care reform
government
Correct:
Correct:
Not:
governor
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
She works for the federal government.
He works for the state government of Illinois.
He works for the Federal Government.
Al Smith was the governor of New York.
Please introduce me to Gov. Al Smith.
Al Smith is the worst governor we’ve ever had.
At the party, there were three governors besides Gov. Smith.
grass roots (n.), grassroots (adj.)
Correct:
This should be a grassroots campaign.
Correct:
The movement came from the grass roots.
gross national product, GNP
Not:
Gross National Product, G.N.P.
groundbreaking (adj.)
Correct:
SEIU launched a groundbreaking new program.
Never:
pathbreaking
[SEIU] Healthcare Division
hepatitis B
Not:
Hepatitis B
high-rise building
Hispanic [always capitalized]
home care [all uses]
home healthcare [the vocation]
Correct:
He is a home healthcare worker.
Also:
He is a home care worker.
home page [See website.]
hotline [all uses]
Correct:
We set up a job distress hotline.
guest workers
18
SEIU
Stylebook
19
HTML [Hyper Text Markup Language]
HYPHENS [in compound modifiers]
Use to avoid ambiguity, but not otherwise. Do not overuse. Do not, for example, link such
modifiers as building-service worker, Justice-for-Janitors campaign, high-school teacher’s
aide, etc. Do link such modifiers as seven-hour workday, short-term profits, on-the-job
training, etc. (If the construction becomes too tedious, as in “the soon-to-be-reckoned-with
Samurai warrior,” reword it.)
Correct:
He addressed a small-business conference. [an assembly of people who own small businesses]
Correct:
He addressed a small business conference. [a few people who own businesses of various sizes]
Correct:
I saw a brown-spotted cow. [white cow, brown spots]
Correct:
I saw a brown spotted cow. [brown cow, white spots]
Correct:
It was a highly publicized campaign.
Not:
It was a highly-publicized campaign. [hyphen never used after
“ly” adverbs]
HYPHENS [in “non” words]
Hyphens usually omitted, except for words such as “non-American” or “non-nuclear.”
HYPHENS [in “anti” words]
Hyphenate almost all, except for a few like “antibiotic,” “anticlimax,” “antitax,” etc. Check
the AP stylebook.
I
industrywide
in house (adv.), in-house (adj.)
Correct:
This is an in-house project.
Correct:
This project was done in house.
International [in reference to SEIU]
Correct:
Our local union is affiliated with the International union.
Correct:
SEIU is an international union that participates in international affairs.
Internet [note capital I for all references]
IU [International Union]
J
judge
Correct:
Correct:
He was tried before Judge Toothman.
The judge sentenced him to death.
Justice, Justices [in title], justices
Justice Anthony Kennedy and Justices White and Scalia
Justice for All campaign
Justice for Janitors [all uses]
Not:
JFJ, JfJ, J for J, J4J, etc.
K
key to [meaning crucial, important] [Do not use.]
Correct:
The donation was critically important to our campaign.
Not:
The donation was key to our campaign.
Correct:
The donation was the key to success for our campaign.
insure [to cover]
Inlandboatmen's Union
[This and the Steelworker's are the only unions that uses one word. All the others—Mine
Workers, Auto Workers, Bakery Workers Union, etc. are two words.]
20
SEIU
Stylebook
21
L
Listserv
LPN [Licensed Practical Nurse]
LVN [Licensed Vocational Nurse] [California only]
labor-management committee
Not:
labor management committee
labor movement
Correct:
The American labor movement is in transition.
Not:
The American Labor Movement is in transition.
Not:
Someday Labor will triumph.
Latino [always capitalized], Latina [if we know the person is female]
lay off (v.), layoff (n.)
Correct:
This company is going to lay off its workers.
Correct:
The workers are worried about layoffs.
Correct:
Twenty workers were laid off yesterday.
leafleting, leafleted
Not:
leafletting, leafletted
local [as a noun]
Correct:
This local is in negotiations with management.
local union
Correct:
Correct:
Not:
SEIU has almost 300 local unions.
SEIU Local 99 is one of many local unions in California.
Then the Local Union went on strike.
[See No. 7 under Notes Section.]
Local 123
Correct:
Correct:
Welcome to SEIU Local 123.
She visited SEIU Locals 123, 456 and 789.
I
lock out (v.), lockout (n.)
Correct:
The employers threatened to lock out the workers.
Correct:
The workers will soon face a lockout.
long-standing
long-term (adj.) long term (n.)
However: SEIU's Long Term Care.
LU [local union]
legal cases [italics]
Correct:
United States v. Jones, et al.
legislature
Be mindful of
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
Not:
proper title of each chamber and the entity as a whole.
He is a member of the Ohio General Assembly.
She is a newly elected member of the Ohio state Senate.
In Ohio, he is a member of the Legislature.
He is a member of the State Legislature.
liaison [note spelling]
M
m dash (or em dash)
Note its usage in sentences to indicate a separate or tangentially related thought, as in:
The president’s speech was polished—he had given it to three audiences—and very well
received. Also note its usage before names when they appear as an endline or a published
item or quotation.
magazines [italics]
Correct:
I read it in Forbes magazine.
22
SEIU
Stylebook
23
majority sign-up [instead of card-check]
makeup (n. or adj.)
Correct:
The makeup of the board was an election issue.
Correct:
The cosmetics workers manufactured makeup.
Correct:
It was a makeup game not originally listed on the season schedule.
marshal [in a parade or demonstration]
Not:
marshall
MasterCard
Medicaid, Medicare
Not:
medicaid, medicare
needlestick [always adjective]
Correct:
She suffered a needlestick injury.
Never:
She suffered two needlesticks.
[See safer needles.]
Newspapers [italics]
Correct:
I am bored by The New York Times. [Check to see if The is part of the title]
Correct:
I read the Little Rock (Ark.) Herald-Crier.
9to5, National Association of Working Women (not affiliated with SEIU)
[Note unusual style is closed up on “to.”]
[Local 925 refers to SEIU’s local in Washington state.]
NLRA [National Labor Relations Act]
NLRB [meaning National Labor Relations Board]
Not:
N.L.R.B.
MONTHS: February 1995
Not:
February, 1995
Correct:
He was born Oct. 24, 1960.
Not:
He was born October 24, 1960.
OK:
She was born on April 5, 1958.
nondiscriminatory
MPO [member political organizer]
nonprofit, not-for-profit (adj.)
multidrug-resistant TB
nonsupervisory
multimillion and multibillion
nonunion
Not:
NOC [National Organizing Corps]
non-union
multimillion-dollar settlement
multiservice workers
Not: multi-service workers
N
n dash (or en dash)
Note its usage to indicate “to,” as in 1987–90. Also note its presence in several university
names as in University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.
nationwide [all uses]
24
SEIU
No. 7, number 7
Not:
#7
NUMBERS [note commas]
Correct:
500
Correct:
5,000
Correct:
50,000
Correct: 3 million [not three million]
Correct: 17 million to 20 million
[difference of 3 million]
Not: 17 to 20 million [difference of 19,999,983]
Not:
5000, 20000
Except:
I belong to SEIU Local 5000.
Correct:
My ID number is 052455.
[Spell out numbers if less than 10 unless they involve values such as ages, percentages,
courts, congressional districts, etc. Check AP stylebook.]
Correct:
We have seven local unions in Michigan.
Correct:
We have 12 local unions in Wisconsin.
Correct:
We received pay increases of 2 percent, 16 percent and 5 percent.
Stylebook
25
[In
Correct:
The car was only going 5 miles per hour.
Correct:
She was elected from the 1st District.
Correct:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit heard his appeal.
Correct:
He celebrated his 30th anniversary.
Correct:
4-month-old contract.
But:
three-year contract.
contracts and other legal documents use both.]
Correct:
Employees shall receive fifteen (15) days of vacation and five (5) sick days.
paraprofessional
part time (adv.), part-time (adj.)
Correct:
Some of us work part time.
Correct:
Some of us are part-time workers.
part-timers (n.)
pay equity
O
online
Oriental [Do not use.]
Correct:
Asian
outdated
outpatient [all uses]
Correct:
I was an outpatient for three weeks.
Correct:
They have good outpatient services.
percent
[Use % or pct.
never used.]
Correct:
Not:
Not:
Not:
only in charts, graphs or tables when necessary for space.][Hyphens are
We
We
We
We
earned
earned
earned
earned
our
our
our
our
5 percent increase.
5-percent increase.
5% increase.
5 per cent increase.
permatemps [define and explain on first usage]
phonebank
picket (n., v.)
Not:
picketer
picketing, picket line, picket sign
outsource, -ed, -ing [Do not use.]
Use:
contract out or privatize
piecework
overall
pink-collar workers [never use]
overtime
policymaking (n., adj.), policymaker (n.)
postcard
poverty wages [ungrammatical, but too widely used to argue about]
P
Page [Capitalize with page number.]
Correct:
Please refer to Page 5.
Correct:
This book has 100 pages.
26
SEIU
p.m.
Correct:
The meeting began
Not:
PM, P.M., pm, etc.
Not:
The meeting began
Confusing: The meeting began
Correct:
The meeting began
Never:
The meeting began
at 8 p.m.
at
at
at
at
8:00 p.m.
12 p.m.
noon.
12 noon (or 12 midnight).
Stylebook
27
pre-empt, pre-empted
president
Correct:
But:
Correct:
Bill Clinton was the president of the United States.
Say goodbye to President Reagan.
Susan Smith is the president of SEIU Local 1999.
primary caregiver
private sector [all uses]
Correct:
They work in the private sector.
Correct:
They are private sector workers.
Q
QUOTATIONS:
[Quotations are usually in the present tense unless part of a speech or a particular event.]
Correct:
“We can only reach this goal if we all work together,” says Mary Kay Henry, president of SEIU.
Correct:
“We can only reach this goal if we all work together,” President Henry told the delegates.
But:
“We can only reach this goal if we all work together,” said Henry.
[If quoted as a statement made at a specific past event.]
problem-solving [all uses]
profit-making
profit-sharing (n., adj.)
Correct:
I wish this company had profit-sharing.
Correct:
They need a profit-sharing plan.
Property Services Division [of SEIU]
Not: Property Service Division
Not: Building Services Division
protesters [not protestors]
public sector [all uses]
Correct:
They work in the public sector.
Correct:
They are public sector workers.
Public Services Division [of SEIU]
Not: Public Service Division
Puerto Rico
Correct: Not: R
Q
racetrack workers
rank and file (n.), rank-and-file (adj.)
Correct:
They elected officers from the rank and file.
Correct:
Their officers were rank-and-file workers.
ratification
re
The rules for prefixes apply. However, there are exceptions to first-listed spellings in
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary based on the general rule that a hyphen is used if
a prefix ends in a vowel and the word that follows begins with the same vowel.
Also:
For many words, the sense is the governing factor:
recover (regain)
re-cover (cover again)
recognition clause
Puerto Rico Gov. Sila M. Calderon
The Puerto Rican governor
registered nurse
Not:
Registered Nurse
But:
RN [no periods]
Correct:
RNs [plural]
Not:
RN’s
regional offices
Correct:
This is the SEIU Western Region office.
Not:
This is the SEIU Western Regional office.
28
SEIU
Stylebook
29
regions
Correct:
Correct:
But:
Correct:
Correct:
school cafeteria workers
northern California
Southern California
South Bronx
Northern Ireland
in the South
reinvented
representative, Rep.
[Very much preferred over Congressman or Congresswoman.]
Correct:
We met with Rep. Austin Murphy on the issue.
Correct:
Murphy is our representative in Congress.
Correct:
Rep. Austin Murphy (D-Pa.) introduced the bill yesterday.
OK:
He said, “Look! There’s Congressman Murphy.”
right-to-work laws
[Usually with ironic quotes or so-called]
Correct:
They passed a so-called right-to-work law.
Correct:
“Right-to-work” laws were passed.
rule-making [all uses]
S
safe staffing [all uses]
Correct:
We are concerned about safe staffing
Correct:
The proposed law will compel hospitals to adopt safe staffing measures.
safer needles [all uses]
Not:
safe needles
Correct:
safer needle technology
Salvadoran
Not:
Not:
Not:
30
SEIU
school workers
Not:
schoolworkers
seasons [Do not capitalize and avoid “of,” as in “in the spring of 1988,” which remains
common in conversational usage.]
Correct: fall 1999, winter 1936
[Be aware that references to winter should be to the first two or three months of the year.]
secretary [officials of the cabinet level]
Correct:
Smith is secretary of Commerce of the United States.
But:
We’ll meet with Secretary of Commerce John Smith today.
secretary-treasurer [always with hyphen]
Correct:
Who is the International secretary-treasurer of SEIU?
Correct:
I’ve been asked to introduce SEIU's International secretary-treasurer.
Section
Correct:
But:
Please refer to Section 4 of Chapter 2.
Please refer to the fourth section of the second chapter.
security officer
Not:
security guard
see [form]
Correct:
But:
Not:
(See Table 5.)
Now check the statistics (see Table 5).
[Note placement of periods.]
(See Table 5)
SEIU
Not:
Not:
But:
S.E.I.U.
the SEIU
an SEIU official
SEIU COPE [Service Employees International Union Committee on Political Education]
SEIU Local [See local union entry and Notes entry No. 7.]
Salvadorean
El Salvadorean
Salvadorian
SEMICOLON
Use with bullet points.
In general, the plan is aimed at achieving these goals:
• Building strength through membership unity;
• Achieving a new level of coordination among local unions; and [note use of and]
• Uniting all workers who do the same type of work.
Stylebook
31
senator, Sen.
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
She is the senior senator from Illinois.
May I now present Sen. Jane Stoy of Illinois.
He said, “Here is Sen. Stoy of Illinois.”
Then Sen. Stoy arrived together with two other senators
and a representative.
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
Never:
Int’l, Intl., Int., etc.
sexual orientation
Not:
sexual preference
s/he [Avoid except in contract language and legal documents.
Avoid awkward he-or-she traps by rewording.]
Awkward: When an employee arrives, he or she should begin working.
Better:
When employees arrive, they should begin working.
Awkward: Each employee must do his or her part.
Correct:
All employees must do their part.
shop steward
short-staffing [all uses]
sick-leave cash-out (adj.)
Correct:
We have a sick-leave cash-out plan.
Correct:
When we leave, we cash out our sick leave.
software [names of programs are capitalized]
speedup (n.), speed up (v.)
Correct:
They’re going to speed up the assembly line.
Correct:
They’re beginning the speedup tomorrow.
spokeswoman, spokesman
Avoid:
spokesperson [see chair]
Note:
Use spokespersons when referring to groups made up of both spokeswomen
and spokesmen.
spreadsheet
SSW [South/Southwest]
start up (v.), startup (n., adj.)
Correct:
Now is the time to start up the program.
Correct:
May 20 is the startup date for the new program.
state of Ohio,
Not:
However:
Also: New York state, Washington state
We toured the state of Ohio. [Ohio is a state.]
It’s quite exciting to visit New York state. [to differentiate between state
and city]
She is a Pennsylvania state employee. [employed by the state]
so-called [use without quotation marks]
Correct:
so-called compassionate conservative
STATES OF THE UNION [in any use other than computer programming or address
labels]:
Correct:
New York, California, Illinois, Ohio
Correct:
N.Y., Calif., Ill., Ohio
Never:
NY, CA, IL, OH [except in addresses]
Ala., Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Kan., Ky., La., Md., Mass.,
Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Neb., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.M., N.Y., N.C., N.D., Okla., Ore.,
Pa., R.I., S.C., S.D., Tenn., Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo.
(Eight states are not abbreviated: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and
Utah. Remember: The two states not part of the 48 contiguous United States and the
states with five or fewer letters.)
Social Insurance [Canadian; always capitalize]
Statehouse [capitalize references to a specific statehouse, with or without state name.]
Social Security [always capitalize]
statewide
signaling
sit-in
Not:
sitin
slowdown
32
socioeconomic [no hyphen]
SEIU
Stylebook
33
Steelworkers Union
[Actually, United Steelworkers. This and the Inlandboatmen's Union are the only unions
that uses one word. All the others—Mine Workers, Auto Workers, Bakery Workers Union,
etc.—are two words.]
steward [or delegate]
stockholders’ meeting [use apostrophe]
take-home pay
takeover (n.), take over (v.)
Correct:
The financier attempted a hostile takeover.
Correct:
He tried to take over that brokerage firm.
taxpaying (adj.) [no hyphen]
Teamsters Union
strikebreaker
Not:
scab
subacute care [all uses]
Correct:
He was taken to a subacute care facility.
telephone numbers
Correct:
(202) 543-8726
But: 1-800-898-3334 [for 800 and 888 numbers]
[Designers and artists, developing various printed materials, may use all hyphens,
periods, spaces, bullets, etc.]
subcommittee
Correct:
She is a member of the House Subcommittee on Welfare.
Correct:
She is a member of the subcommittee.
Correct:
She is a member of a House subcommittee.
Correct:
Both houses of Congress have a subcommittee on welfare.
third party (n.), third-party (adj.)
Correct:
He considered voting for a third party.
Correct:
Obtaining a third-party endorsement is a good idea.
subcontracted
time and a half
Correct:
We were paid time and a half for working Saturday.
[Try to avoid awkward forms such as “time and one-half,” “1-1/2 time,” etc.]
Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, Supreme Court of the United States
Correct:
We argued the case before the Supreme Court.
Correct:
The U.S. Supreme Court heard our case.
Correct:
The court rejected our arguments, however.
Correct:
In Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court seldom overturns a ruling.
Hint:
John Roberts the Chief Justice of the United States, not of the
Supreme Court.
Titles of newspapers, magazines, movies, books, plays, operas, albums, etc. are in
italics. Titles of reports, brochures, fliers, songs, and campaigns go in “quotes.”
Correct:
We all sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Correct:
The Exorcist gave me nightmares.
Correct:
He read A Farewell to Arms on the train.
Correct:
I fell asleep during the performance of Macbeth.
But:
The new SEIU report is called “Drugs on the Job.”
But:
Have you read the new pamphlet “Common Sense”?
totaled, totaling
toward [not towards]
T
tradeoff (n.), trade off (v.)
transgender [not transgendered]
Table
Correct:
Please refer to Table 2.
takeaways, takeaway [all uses, or takeback]
Correct:
Management insisted on seven takeaways.
Correct:
Management persists in its takeaway bargaining.
traveled, traveling
tryout (n.), try out (v.)
Correct:
I tried out for the part at the tryout.
turnout (n.), turn out (v.)
turnover (n., adj.)
34
SEIU
Stylebook
35
U
under way
Correct:
W
The project is under way.
wage earner
underfund (v.), underfunding (n.)
wage theft
undocumented worker
Wal-Marting
UNI [Union Network International]
Washington state [Washington State is a university.]
union
website [preferred over home page]
unionwide
weekday
union shop
weeks' pay
Correct:
Correct:
.
well-being
union busting (n.), union-busting (adj.)
Correct:
They engaged in union busting.
Correct:
They are a union-busting company.
United States [Always spell out as a noun; abbreviate as an adjective.]
Correct:
Our members live in the United States and Canada.
Correct:
This is a U.S. government agency.
Never:
Our members live in the U.S. and Canada.
Never:
U.S.A. [except “Printed in U.S.A.” line in printed materials]
upstate [always lowercase]
up to date (adv.), up-to-date (adj.)
Correct:
This will get us up to date.
Correct:
We have an up-to-date plan.
USWW [United Service Workers West]
V
One-week pay
Two-weeks pay.
West Coast
white [meaning Caucasian]
Correct:
The union has both black and white workers.
Not:
The union has both Black and white workers.
white-collar [compound modifier]
Correct:
They are white-collar workers.
Not:
They are white collar workers.
window cleaner
Not:
window washer
workday
workers’ rights
Workers United, SEIU
workfare
workforce
Veterans Administration
Not:
Veteran’s Administration
Not:
Veterans’ Administration
vice president
Not:
vice-president
working class (n.), working-class (adj.)
workload
workplace
worksite
work-study program
workweek
36
SEIU
Stylebook
37
worldwide
write in (v.), write-in (n., adj.)
Correct:
Let’s write in her name on the ballot.
Correct:
She conducted a write-in campaign.
Correct:
She received a lot of write-ins.
X
X-ray technician
Y
YEARS
Correct:
1980­–1984 [use en dash between dates]
Correct:
1930s [not 1930’s]
Correct:
between 1980 and 1984
Correct:
from 1980 to 1984
Correct:
the ’80s, the Eighties, the 1980s
Not:
the 1980’s, the 80’s, etc.
[Please note direction of apostrophe.]
Not:
1980–4
Not:
between 1980–1984
Not:
from 1980–1984
yellow-dog (adj.) yellow-dog contract (n.)
Z
zero, zeroes
ZIP code [acronym for Zone Improvement Plan] [in Canada: Postal code]
Not: zip code, Zip Code, Zip, ZIP, etc.
Correct:
Be sure to list your ZIP code.
38
SEIU
Stylebook
39
Proofreader's Marks
Newparagraph
New paragraph
Transpose
Transpose
Removespace
Remove
space
Insertspace
Insert
space
Delete
Delete
Uppercase
Uppercase
36
40
SEIU
SEIU
Abbreviate
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Insert
period
Insertperiod
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Insert
comma
Insertcomma
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Indent
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Center
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Align
horizontally
Alignhorizontally
Union
InternationalUnion
Service
Employees International
ServiceEmployees
Align
vertical
Alignvertical
Service
Employees
ServiceEmployees
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Service Employees International Union
ServiceEpmloyeesInternationalUnion
Service
Epmloyees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Service
Employees Inter national Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Service
EmployeesInternational Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUUnion
Service
Employees International UUnion
Serviceemployeesinternationalunion
Service
employees international union
Lowercase
Lowercase
SErviceEmployeesInternationalUnion
SErvice
Employees International Union
International Union
InternationalUnion
Insertword
Insert
word
ServiceInternationalUnion
Service
International Union
Flush
left
Flushleft
Service Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Bold
Bold
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Service
Employees International Union
Flush
right
Flushright
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Italic
Italic
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Service
Employees International Union
Equalize
space
Equalizespace
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Spellout
Spell
out
SEIU
SEIU
Let
it stand
Letitstand
Service
Employees International Union
ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion
Stet
Stylebook
Stylebook
37
41
Identity Standards
SEIU Organizational
Don’t place conference themes or other text in conjunction
with the logo in any fashion that may confuse it with the
slogan of SEIU.
Do . . .
•Include the SEIU logo, slogan and mission statement on nearly all literature and other
communications vehicles.
•Refer to the name of the union as SEIU. Never refer to it as the Service Workers or Service
Employees Union.
•Use “Service Employees International Union (SEIU)” on the first reference in text of literature
and publications. Use SEIU in all subsequent references.
•Produce clothing bearing the SEIU name and/or logo in purple, whenever possible (ask
vendor to match the color shade to PMS 268C). The Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors
are available worldwide. Pantone markets the colors for communication in the graphic arts,
for printing ink on paper. Pantone also offers color communication for the fashion/apparel
industry, and the industrial design community. While there are other color communication
providers, Pantone is the world leader in terms of the communication of color on an
international scale.
•Print SEIU materials with purple as the dominant color. •Incorporate elements of SEIU’s strategic messages in literature speeches, and other forms of
communication.
•Use consistent design imagery to visually identify SEIU programs (for instance, the metallic
stars image that has been consistently used on International union political and legislative
action materials.)
Don’t . . .
•Don’t place conference themes or other text in conjunction with the logo in any fashion that
may confuse it with the slogan of SEIU.
•Don’t institutionalize any new logos for SEIU programs or conferences. •Don’t alter the size or type style of SEIU in the logo.
•Don’t alter the shape or proportions of the SEIU logo or excerpt portions of the graphic.
Tips for Appearing on Television
42
SEIU
Stylebook
43
44
SEIU
Stylebook
45
For more information on logo usage, please contact
the SEIU Design and Production Department at 202.730.7000
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW • Washington, DC 20036
46
SEIU
Stylebook
47
SEIU Glossary of Special Uses in French
Glossaire anglais-français de certains
termes utilisés au sein de l’UIES
guest workers: travailleuses et travailleurs invités
healthcare: soins de santé
healthcare worker: travailleuse ou travailleur de la santé
agency shop: formule Rand, précompte syndical généralisé, retenue de la cotisation syndicale
[Forme de sécurité syndicale en vertu de laquelle l'employeur convient de prélever sur la paie de
chaque salarié un montant égal à la cotisation syndicale, pour le verser au syndicat.]
anti-union: antisyndical, antisyndicalisme
bargaining unit: unité de négociation
card-check: vérification des cartes [Action de recruter des membres d’une unité de négociation
healthcare personnel: personnel soignant, personnel des services de santé
health insurance: assurance-maladie
homecare: soins à domicile
home caregiver: personne donnant des soins à domicile
dans le but d’obtenir la reconnaissance volontaire d’un syndicat par un employeur.]
interfaith: (adj.) interconfessionnel
claim one's rights: revendiquer ses droits, s’affirmer, revendiquer une chose à laquelle on croit
janitors: préposées et préposés à l’entretien
avoir droit
contract: contrat, convention collective
co-workers: collègues, compagnes ou compagnons de travail
delegate: déléguée ou délégué, représentante ou représentant syndical
difficulty: difficulté
division: division
employer: employeur, groupe de patrons ou de cadres
future: avenir [Destinée sur laquelle les travailleuses et
travailleurs peuvent exercer dans une certaine mesure leur volonté.], sens plus vague des mois ou
des années à venir
gather together: se rassembler, s’unir [Le fait pour des travailleuses et travailleurs de s’unir,
selon le principe que l’union fait la force.], mettre ensemble plusieurs choses pour former un tout [p.
ex., des dons, des cotisations, etc.]
get involved: participer, faire sa part, s’investir dans une cause ou une campagne
justice for janitors: justice pour le personnel d’entretien (nom d’une campagne menée aux É.-U.)
labor: travail, monde syndical
leaflet: (n.) tract, papillon, feuille volante
leaflet: (v.) distribuer des tracts, des papillons, etc.
local union: section locale (suivie du numéro de la section locale assignée par l’UIES)
Locals Online: nom d’un programme américain mis sur pied par l’UIES pour aider les sections
locales à créer et à tenir à jour des sites Web
lockout: lock-out
mandatory overtime: heures supplémentaires obligatoires
Member Political Organizer or “MPO”: membre-organisatrice politique ou membre-organisateur
politique [Titre particulier que l’UIES donne à ses membres qui ont acquis de l’expérience en
recrutement syndical et en organisation de campagnes politiques.]
Mission Statement of SEIU: énoncé de mission de l’UIES [L’UIES a pour mission d’améliorer la
grant: (v.) accorder, fournir [p. ex., vacances, assurance-maladie, etc.]
qualité de vie des travailleuses et travailleurs, et de leur famille, et d’ouvrir la marche pour créer
une société plus juste et plus humanitaire.]
grant: (n.) subvention, allocation [Paiement fait en contrepartie d’un certain service ou d’un service
fourni pendant une période donnée.]
Mobile Action Center: centre d’action mobile [Semi-remorque de l’UIES dans laquelle on a
grievance: grief
installé des téléphones.]
nonunion: non syndiqué
nursing home: centre d’accueil, établissement de soins prolongés
48
SEIU
Stylebook
49
officers' titles: Mary Kay Henry, Président
Anna Burger, Secrétaire-Trésorière Internationale
Mitch Ackerman, Vice-Président Exécutif International
Gerald Hudson, Vice-Président Exécutif International
Eliseo Medina, Vice-Président Exécutif International
Bruce Raynor, Vice-Président Exécutif International
David Regan, Vice-Président Exécutif International
Tom Woodruff, Vice-Président Exécutif International
online: en ligne [Se dit d’un document mis sur un site Web.]
[Se dit d’une personne ou d’un ordinateur capable de se relier au réseau Internet.]
[Se dit d’un site Web.]
organize: syndicaliser, faire du syndicalisme, recruter des membres
organizing committee: comité organisateur, comité de recrutement syndical
outreach: approche, rayonnement, animation extérieure
patients: patientes et patients [On dit aussi clientes et clients.]
people of color: personnes de couleur
people with disabilities: personnes ayant un handicap, personnes ayant une déficience [Notez
qu’il faut éviter des mots comme “infirme”, “invalide”, “affligé d’un handicap”, etc.]
phonebank: centre téléphonique, centre de télésollicitation [Endroit où se réunissent plusieurs
bénévoles pour appeler des membres ou des personnes aptes à voter, souvent dans le cadre d’une
élection.]
picket: piquetage [Pour informer ou à l’occasion d’une grève.]
pooling: mise en commun de ressources
progressive: progressiste [Se dit de politiques éclairées ou d’avant-garde, ou d’une personne élue
safe staffing: dotation suffisante en personnel [Se dit d’un hôpital ou d’une maison de soins
infirmiers dont le personnel est en nombre suffisant pour garantir sa santé-sécurité et celle des
patients.]
SEIU household: foyer dont une personne fait partie de l’UIES
security officer: agente ou agent de sécurité, préposée ou préposé à la sécurité [Ne pas dire
“gardien”.]
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC: Union internationale des employés et
employées de service, CTW, CTC
short-staffing or unsafe staffing: manque de personnel, pénurie de main-d’œuvre [Voir “dotation
suffisante en personnel”.]
state council: conseil d’État [Conseil de l’UIES ayant habituellement un bureau dans la capitale
de l’État.]
steward: déléguée ou délégué syndical, représentante ou représentant syndical
strike: grève
strike-breaking worker: briseuse ou briseur de grève
stronger together: “Plus fort ensemble” [devise actuelle
de l’UIES]
suburb: banlieue
union: syndicat (n), syndical (adj.)
unionization: syndicalisme
unionize: syndicaliser, former un syndicat
qui est partisane du progrès.]
unionized: syndiqué
property services: entretien des bâtiments
union-related: du domaine syndical
public services: services publics
union shop: lieu de travail syndiqué
public services you can count on: des services publics sur lesquels on peut compter
wage: salaire
racial profiling: stéréotypage racial, profilage racial
We Make Politics Work: slogan d’un programme de l’UIES aux États-Unis
resolve: résoudre (un grief, un différend, un problème), prendre un engagement
whistleblower: dénonciatrice ou dénonciateur [Personne qui informe les autorités ou ses collègues
d’une violation des lois du travail ou d’un danger présent dans un lieu de travail.]
anonymous whistleblower: dénonciatrice ou dénonciateur anonyme
retaliation: représailles
window cleaner: laveuse ou laveur de vitres
working families: familles de travailleurs
worksite: lieu de travail, chantier
50
SEIU
Stylebook
51
SEIU Glossary of Special Uses in Spanish
Glosario de terminología especial de SEIU
agency shop: cuota por representación laboral; cláusula que establece una forma de pago
por representación laboral (para trabajadores que no se hacen miembros de la unión);
taller agencial
anti-union: antiunionista, antisindical; [anti-worker]
antiobrero, en contra de los intereses de los trabajadores y sus familias; antiunión
bargaining unit: unidad negociadora; grupo de trabajadores representados; trabajadores
en un sitio de trabajo o de un taller específico que conforman una colectividad con el fin de
negociar un contrato; unidad apropiada
card-check: [process of signing up members of a bargaining unit to gain voluntary
recognition of a union from an employer] revisión de tarjetas de agremiación;
reconocimiento de la unión por medio de la entrega de tarjetas firmadas
Change That Works campaign: campaño de Cambio que funcione.
claim one’s rights: [or assert one’s self, or demand what one believes is deserved]:
reivindicar o reclamar lo justo o lo que por derecho le corresponde a uno
contract: contrato; [collective bargaining agreement] convenio colectivo
co-workers: compañeros de trabajo, colegas
delegate: [also called “steward” in some workplaces]: delegado sindical
difficulty: apuro, problema, dificultad
division: industria; sector
employer: patron; [group of bosses or managers] gerencia; empresario
future: [destiny over which workers have some say] porvenir; [vaguer sense of coming months
or years] futuro; [in legislation, as in “from here on out in the future”] en lo sucesivo
gather together: [for workers to unite, to join forces], agruparse, unirse; [to consolidate
into one, as donations]: mancomunar
get involved: participar, integrarse, cooperar, colaborar, interesarse, militar, intervenir
grant: (v. and n.) [to provide to workers, as in vacation or health care coverage]
proporcionar; conceder; [payment for limited time or limited service] pago o estipendio
52
SEIU
grievance: agravio, queja
guest workers: braceros; trabajadores huesped
healthcare: [as an SEIU division] cuidado de la salud; [health care worker] trabajador del
cuidado de la salud; [healthcare personnel] el personal del cuidado de la salud
health insurance: seguro médico; plan médico
home care: cuidado personal a domicilio o en el hogar
home caregiver: trabajador del cuidado personal a domicilio o asistente personal a
domicilio
interfaith: (adj.) de varias tradiciones o denominaciones religiosas
involve: [one’s self in a cause or campaign] [See “get involved.”] alistarse; meterse;
participar, integrarse, cooperar, colaborar, interesarse, militar, intervenir [to get others
involved or plugged into such a cause] reclutar o incorporar a otros
janitors: janitors [untranslated cognate]; trabajadores de la limpieza; conserjes
justice for janitors: justicia para los janitors (conserjes)
labor: (n. and adj.) trabajo; trabajadores, obreros, [union-related] sindical, unionista;
[relating to workplace or workplace policy] laboral
leaflet: (n. and v.) hoja informativa, volante; distribuir información o volantes; boletín
local union: [of SEIU, with a given number] la unión local 123 de SEIU; [on second or
subsequent usage] la 123.
Locals Online [SEIU program to help local unions construct and operate Web sites]:
Uniones Locales en la Red
lockout: cierre; cierre empresarial; cierre patronal; cierre patronal
mandatory overtime: extensión forzada de la jornada; jornadas múltiples, una detrás de
la otra; sobretiempo; tiempo extra, trabajo extraordinario
Member Political Organizer or “MPO”: [special SEIU designation for union members who
have gained experience as participants in organizing and political campaigns] activista
político de SEIU
Mission Statement of SEIU: Our mission is to improve the lives of working people and
their families and lead the way to a more just and humane society.
Nuestra misión es de mejorar la vida de trabajadores y de sus familias y abrir el camino
hacia una sociedad más justa y humana. [Note: Some Spanish speakers may prefer
“trazar” instead of abrir.]
Stylebook
53
Mobile Action Center: [SEIU semi-trailer containing phonebank terminals] centro móvil
telefónico de SEIU para la acción
nonunion: no unionista, no sindicalizado; no unionado
nursing home: casa para convalecientes, residencia para convalecientes o ancianos
officers’ titles: Mary Kay Henry, Presidenta Internacional
Anna Burger, Secretaria-Tesorera Internacional
Mitch Ackerman, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Gerald Hudson, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Eliseo Medina, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Bruce Raynor, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
David Regan, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Tom Woodruff, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
online: [said of a publication that appears on the Web] en la red, o electrónico; [said of a
citizen or a computer terminal, able to access the Web or the Internet] conectado a la red;
[said of a site or location on the Web] en la red; [said of information or material able to be
found online] accesible electrónicamente o por la red.
organize: formar una unión; ganar una voz en el trabajo; organizar a los demás
trabajadores; reclutar a trabajadores para sindicalizarlos
organizing committee: un comité de organización; comité organizador
outreach: reclutamiento; busca de apoyo; ampliación educativa; concienciación
patients: [home care patients, or clients]: recipientes del cuidado personal a domicilio;
pacientes
people of color: personas de color; gente de color; personas de minorías étnicas y raciales
people with disabilities: [Please note important difference from “handicapped people,”
which defines the person according to the condition. Please discard antiquated Spanish
usages, such as “personas disminuídas.”] personas con discapacidades; [disabled patients
or clients] pacientes, o clientes, con discapacidades
phonebank: [event in which several volunteers at separate phones call members or
voters, often regarding an election] hacer campaña telefónica; una operación mediante
la cual se hacen llamadas a muchas personas sobre algún asunto; [volunteer phonebank]
campaña telefónica hecha por voluntarios
picket: [informational; strike-related] manifestación laboral; marchar durante una
manifestación o huelga mientras que se distribuyen hojas informativas al público
pooling: [sharing of resources] mancomunar
54
SEIU
progressive: [forward-looking politics or politicians] progresista
property services: servicios de mantenimiento y de seguridad de instalaciones
public services: servicios públicos
public services you can count on: servicios públicos en que todos podemos confiar
racial profiling: categorización de individuos a base de prejuicios raciales; perfil en base a
las características o rasgos raciales
resolve: [a grievance or dispute] resolver, solucionar, decidir, acordar; [a problem of some
kind] resolver; [to make a commitment] dedicarse; comprometerse
retaliation: represalia
safe staffing: [adequate staffing levels, as at a hospital or nursing home] suficiente
personal adecuado para atender a los pacientes sin correr riesgos; dotación de suficiente
personal para evitar los riesgos
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC: Sindicato Internacional de Empleados
de Servicio, CTW,CLC
SEIU household: hogar de un miembro de SEIU
security officer: [not security guard] oficial de seguridad
short-staffing or unsafe staffing: [See safe staffing.]
personal insuficiente; dotación insuficiente de personal; escasez de personal
state council: [of SEIU, usually with an office in the state capital city] consejo estatal
steward: delegado unionista; delegado sindical
strike: huelga
strike-breaking workers: rompehuelgas; los que desplazan a trabajadores en huelga;
esquiroles
stronger together: [current SEIU tagline] unidos hacemos la fuerza
suburb: barrio periférico; pueblo periférico; suburbio
union: unión [much preferred over “sindicato,” although the latter, along with “gremio,” is
still commonly used throughout Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula]
unionization: agremiación; sindicalización; proceso de organizarse o de reclamar una voz
en el trabajo; afiliación de trabajadores
Stylebook
55
unionize: ganar, o tener, una voz en el trabajo; sindicalizar; organizarse; agremiar; afiliar
[to add new workers onto a unit] agremiar, incorporar, afiliar
unionized: sindicalizado; representado por una unión o sindicato; unionado
union-related: unionista; sindical; laboral
union shop: un sitio de trabajo en el que rige la exclusividad de una unión; taller de union
wage: salario; sueldo
We Make Politics Work: [tagline for SEIU MPO program] Hacemos que marche la política
funcione
whistleblower: [person who notifies authorities or fellow workers about workplace
violations or dangers] informante; informante motivado por el bienestar de sus compañeros
de trabajo; [anonymous whistleblower] informante anónimo
window cleaner: [not window washer] limpiador de
ventanas
work: [See “labor.”] trabajo; [a piece of work or a task] tarea; [hard work] trabajo duro,
riguroso o pesado
Workers United: Trabajadores Unidos
working families: trabajadores y sus familias; familias de la clase trabajadora [in prose
containing other frequent uses of “trabajador” constructions] familias obreras
worksite: [or job site] sitio o centro de trabajo; [in prose containing other frequent uses of
“trabajador” constructions] sitio de empleo
56
SEIU
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW • Washington, DC 20036
www.seiu.org