Origins
To understand how District 925 was formed, it is necessary to go back to the grassroots movement that formed the basis of it. Initially this movement started with a newsletter in Boston in 1972 for area office workers covering topics regarding unfair treatment, harassment, sexism, low-pay, and lack of upward mobility in those positions. The newsletter titled "9to5:Newsletter for Boston Area Office Workers” was created by Karen Nussbaum and Ellen Cassedy. Within a year of the start of this newsletter this quickly led to the formation of the 9to5 National Association of Working Women. As the organization grew they sought to bolster their unionization efforts, but faced a lot of the same discrimination they had been seeking to rectify from the larger unions they contacted until they started communicating with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
In 1975, the SEIU and 9to5, the National Association of Working Women came together in Boston to create a local union for Boston area office workers, dubbed SEIU Local 925. They eventually expanded this effort to become a nationwide movement in 1981 SEIU District 925. This partnership resulted in a powerful social and political advocate for office workers, one of the largest, poorest paid, most exploited, but least unionized segments of the nation’s workforce. Karen Nussbaum became District 925’s first president and, soon after, 925 chapters were formed throughout the nation.
The early days of 9 to 5 (left to right) Anne Hill, Bonnie Ladin, Jackie Ruff, Cheryl Schaffer and Karen Nussbaum
From right to left: Ellen Cassedy, Jackie Ruff, and Karen Nussbaum at a demonstration for Local 925 in Boston
Advertisement for National Secretaries Day event in Los Angeles featuring Jane Fonda. The 'Raises not Roses' campaign started in response to bosses typically buying roses for clerical workers for National Secretaries Day. This slogan encouraged workers to demand raises instead of roses.
Jane Fonda National Secretary Day Rally in 1979. When Fonda learned of the 9to5 movement she quickly befriended the founders and was always a big advocate for the work they did.
Cover of 9 to 5 newsletter for Boston area office workers regarding pay disparities between men and women in the workplace.
Karen Nussbaum (left) and Jackie Ruff (right)holding signs in support of striking Brown University workers
Poster for the 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women's annual summer school program. A workshop put on by 9to5 that was dedicated to educating women on workplace organizing and how to combat workplace harassment.
Cartoon from a Summer for Working Women packet.
Poster for the movie '9 to 5' starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. The success of this movie helped propel the District 925 into the national spotlight and is partially responsible for a lot of 925's early success.
