Marge Faville, RN, President, SEIU Healthcare Michigan
As the President of SEIU Healthcare Michigan – the state’s largest union of healthcare workers, Marge Faville has made it her mission to ensure that all workers who care for others are heard and recognized for the vital work they do.
She first became a member of SEIU while working at Hackley Hospital as a Unit Secretary 25 years ago. Faville moved on to Mercy Hospital where she served the Muskegon community for 15 years. It was there, while working full time, Faville discovered her love of nursing and decided to return to college to receive her Registered Nurse Degree.
As an RN in the Critical Care Open Heart Unit, she was known for being a strong advocate for quality care and sought a position where she could help fellow nurses as well as their patients. She became a steward, then a bargaining team member and eventually the chief steward. With a desire to help people on a larger scale, she became a member of the Local 79 Executive Board and the Hospital Division Director before being elected Secretary-Treasurer in 2002.
Appointed by Governor Granholm, Faville has served as a member of the Michigan Occupational Health Standards Commission since 2005. She has also served as a board member for the United Way of the West Shore, where she is a member of the allocation committee. She is a member of both the National Nurse Alliance Leadership Board and the healthcare division leadership board. Faville has held numerous other positions throughout the state including Vice President and President of West Michigan Labor Council and currently serves on the board of the Muskegon Area Labor Management Committee.
Johnnie Jolliffi, Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU Healthcare Michigan
Johnnie Jolliffi became a healthcare worker over 25 years ago simply because she loved to help people. But it wasn’t until she found a job at a union nursing home that she learned she could help her co-workers at the same time as the residents. Johnnie became a worksite leader, helping to organize Middlebelt Nursing Home. Organizing has always been a passion for her and she loves the long, hard hours that are a part of the job. Throughout the years she has worked on the organizing team, as a business agent and even served as Nursing Division Director.
Johnnie is proud to have worked in nursing homes and in home care -serving at the bedside and at the bargaining table. She has worked all over the state of Michigan negotiating contract language and can offer advice in all departments. She uses her experience and problem solving skills to engage members from every division.
SEIU Healthcare Michigan has a rich history of organizing workers and winning victories. Johnnie is still inspired by the Dignity, Rights & Respect campaign she was involved with in the late 1980s. She hopes to continue our mission of organizing the unorganized and inspiring our members to take ownership of their union.