What I’m Thankful for / Board Chair Bill Hall

As holiday season begins, it’s a good time to reflect on our lives and give thanks for blessings large and small. Personally, I am extremely thankful for my wife, Roseann, without whose love and support I would not have been able to overcome many of the challenges I have faced.

I’m also thankful for all the Union members that have supported their unions in tough fights for over 100 years. Their sacrifices ended child labor and created the 40-hour workweek, the weekend, and many more societal changes that dramatically improved the quality of life for millions of workers.

I appreciate that I have the opportunity to join and support my Union, SEIU Local 1000, as I would not want to work for the State of California without union representation.  However, despite the fact that thousands of members we represent are struggling to make ends meet, our employer—the State of California—has not seen it necessary to keep Local 1000 represented workers up with the cost of living for 11 of the past 20 years. 

I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from the Local 1000 Board of Directors, membership and staff over the past year.  And I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve our members. As I write this, I find myself thinking of all the people I interact with and how much support I receive from people I did not know a mere six months ago. The union labor movement and the people within it are truly amazing. 

In closing, I offer you my most sincere thanks and my wish that all of you—members and staff alike—have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving holiday.

William (Bill) Hall
Board Chair, SEIU Local 1000
bhall@seiu1000.org