**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES., SEPT. 17**

Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Ella Sogomonian, ella.sogomonian@seiu1021.org, (415) 686-5075

Short staffing and high caseloads are causing defendants to sit in county jail for longer periods of time to get their day in court and out of a cell, robbing San Franciscans of their constitutional right to a speedy trial. It’s also been causing misdemeanor cases to be thrown out.

“Trying to get through the backlog without enough time or staffing leads to simple errors that cause real-world problems,” said Robert Borders, Criminal Division Courtroom Clerk. “A small mistake on paper can turn into a living nightmare for someone stuck in a jail cell waiting for their day in court.”

Tuesday, they will rally outside both San Francisco courthouses at lunchtime to push court management to address these issues in current negotiations before their contract expires in two weeks.

What: SF Superior Court workers rally for improved staffing, training, and working conditions
When: Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 12:15 p.m.
Where: Media availability outside SF Hall of Justice (850 Bryant St.) 
Who: SF Superior Courts staff, San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin
Visuals: Workers wearing union gear marching, chanting with picket signs

Court staff have been bringing attention to inadequate staffing for impossible caseloads, yet management has canceled meetings with them twice in the last month. They are currently in contract negotiations and are using this opportunity to share their proposals on how to remedy the problem.

“These are issues clerks are intimately aware of. We understand how to better streamline the process and help the public,” said Civil Division Courtroom Clerk Kimberly Septien. “We have responded to the backlog by requesting more training and staffing. Instead of addressing these proposals, management has canceled meetings.”

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SEIU Local 1021 represents nearly 60,000 employees in local governments, nonprofit agencies, health care programs, and schools throughout Northern California, including seven private colleges and numerous community colleges. SEIU Local 1021 is a diverse, member-driven organization with members who work to make our cities, schools, colleges, counties, and special districts safe and healthy places to live and raise our families.