The masters of grassroots organizing -- SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West -- will meet up with the masters of internet organizing at the annual Yearly Kos convention this week. According to SEIU's release, "it's an effort to build and strengthen relationships between organized labor and the progressive 'netroots' activists behind many of the most dynamic blogs to be found online."

UHW, one of the largest locals within SEIU, is one of several labor organizations sponsoring the event hosted by a group of readers and writers of the blog DailyKos. Among the numerous speakers at the event are bloggers, activists, and several Democratic presidential candidates: Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson.

"The YearlyKos convention is a great opportunity for labor to reach out to bloggers and other online activists who share our goals of building a progressive majority and winning equality and fairness for American workers," said Sal Rosselli, president of UHW. "Our members are committed to achieving quality healthcare reform, and we've seen how effective the online community can be at bringing attention to this and other vital causes."

"UHW's active participation in the YearlyKos conference speaks to Sal's leadership and vision," said Rick Jacobs, chair of Courage Campaign, a nonpartisan progressive online committee in California. "Labor and the online communities usually have common agendas. Communication between us is key to more victories."

The 140,000-member SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States and represents every type of healthcare worker, including nurses, professional, technical and service classifications.