California is enacting a new law this year, thanks to major backing from SEIU 1021. By engaging in numerous large, worker-led actions at the Capitol and sharing our personal stories, our collective effort has helped the public better understand the plight of workers. This work is paying off in monumental ways, as we see the fruits of our labor in 2025.

Senator Aisha Wahab of the East Bay drafted new legislation going into effect this year that cracks down on union-busting tactics when employers force workers to attend anti-union meetings.

SB 399, a joint effort by SEIU 1021 and Sen. Wahab, is our response to community clinic employers punishing workers for refusing to attend anti-union meetings. This new law is designed to protect workers from retaliation when they refuse to participate in those meetings.

Healthcare workers’ minimum wage increases in 2025

Healthcare workers continue to benefit from our fight for a $25-an-hour minimum wage this year, with some of our lowest-paid healthcare workers across California seeing further increases.

In July, many healthcare workers will start making a minimum wage of $24 an hour. Depending on the facility, the minimum wage will increase yearly until it reaches $25 an hour. These wage increases will significantly impact the lives of at least 450,000 people statewide.