National Contest Seeks New Ideas to Benefit Working Families; Is Yours the Next Best Idea 'Since Sliced Bread'? It Could Be Worth $100,000 to You

Concerned that many of America’s working families still live paycheck to paycheck? Then take action -- join in the new, national dialogue called Since Sliced Bread (www.sinceslicedbread.com). Announced recently by Andy Stern, President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SinceSlicedBread.com is a contest that calls upon ordinary Americans to suggest common sense ideas that improve the day-to-day lives of working families. A grand prize of $100,000 will be awarded to the person who submits the best idea; runners up will receive $50,000 each. The deadline is December 5, 2005.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) October 27, 2005 -- Concerned that many of America’s working families still live paycheck to paycheck? Then take action -- join in the new, national dialogue called Since Sliced Bread (www.sinceslicedbread.com). Announced recently by Andy Stern, President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SinceSlicedBread.com is a contest that calls upon ordinary Americans to suggest common sense ideas that improve the day-to-day lives of working families. A grand prize of $100,000 will be awarded to the person who submits the best idea; runners up will receive $50,000 each.

SinceSlicedBread.com is a public conversation centered on improving jobs and communities -- one that calls upon the clear voice and practical ideas of working American families directly affected by national policy. In the absence of policies from Washington that hear and heed the voice of working families, SinceSlicedBread.com invites ordinary Americans and experts alike to debate and discuss economic issues of the day that affect the American workplace and American workers. “Our nation is in the midst of the most significant economic shift in history,” said SEIU President Andy Stern. “Many working families are struggling as wages drop and affordable child care, quality health care, and a secure retirement fall out of reach. Global competition and the fast-changing world of work create opportunities and challenges that require bold thinking and new policy ideas.”

To secure 21st Century ideas for a new economy, a non partisan judges’ panel* will select the top 21 ideas from those submitted -- these 21 ideas then undergo two rounds of public voting. Contest judges represent a cross-section of the American people: Independents, Republicans, Democrats, academics, former government officials, Wall Street executives, public interest leaders and others. The SinceSlicedBread.com judges’panel includes a full complement of experts with diverse backgrounds, for example:
·   Bill Bradley, Former U.S. Senator (D-NJ);
·   Esther Dyson, Editor-at-Large, CNET Networks;
·   Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Capital Management, Inc.
·   Wendy Kopp, President and Founder, Teach for America;
·   Edward J. Rollins, Political Commentator and Strategist; and
·   David Sifry, Founder and CEO, Technorati

“Real-life experience is an important credential in this contest,” observed Stern. “After all, who is better equipped to offer ideas that benefit working Americans than working Americans themselves?”

“This type of public dialogue is long overdue; I commend SEIU for its leadership and am honored to be part of this unprecedented public forum,” said Martha Phillips, former Executive Director, The Concord Coalition. “Everyday people have many constructive, practical and even inspired ideas that would be beneficial to working Americans. SinceSlicedBread.com will be a great way to bring these innovative concepts to light and get the attention they deserve.”

As part of a continuing commitment to value and reward work in this country, the 1.8 million member SEIU is sponsoring the SinceSlicedBread.com contest. The fastest-growing union in North America, SEIU also is the largest union of health care, hospital, nursing home, and home care workers; the largest union of building cleaning and security workers; and the second largest union of public employees.

Submitting an idea is easy and quick -- in 175 words or less, post your idea online at www.sinceslicedbread.com , or mail it (postmarked no later than midnight, December 5, 2005) to:
SinceSlicedBread.com
1220 L Street, NW
Suite 100-320
Washington, DC 20005-4018

Ideas submitted can relate to child care, health care, elder care, minimum wage, retirement security or any other issue. All entries should address three basic points:
·   What the issue or problem is;
·   How you would fix it; and
·   How fixing it will benefit working men and women.

Mailed or online contest entries must be submitted no later than midnight, December 5, 2005. Judges will be looking for policy ideas that are original, creative, and have a good chance of practical success. SinceSlicedBread.com judges will select the top 21 ideas. Then it is up to the public —through online elimination rounds, to elect the three winning ideas. The judges will then choose the Grand Prize idea, and the two runners-up.

The Grand Prize idea will be announced at a public event in February, 2006, and the grand prize winner will receive $100,000; two runners-up take home $50,000. For further details on how to submit the next big idea, please visit the contest web site www.sinceslicedbread.com .

Media Contacts:
Ben Boyd
202.285.6717
boydb@seiu.org

Stacey Finkel
202.667.0901
stacey.finkel@sinceslicedbread.com

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