Not long after winning a historic contract, the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced a bold plan to organize currently nonunion automotive plants across the country.

For many years, automotive manufacturers have used every trick in the book to keep their workers from forming unions. Now working people are seeing the wins they can get when they stick together. More and more are working to form unions of their own, supported by the UAW and other unions, including SEIU Local 1021.

SEIU 1021 Vice President of Organizing Brandon Dawkins said, “Members often want to know why going out and organizing new shops is so important to us. Some folks have told me they feel like that work takes the focus away from workers who are already organized, and some even feel like these new members will pose a threat to their jobs.

“To me, though, this is simple and straightforward: Working people without unions want the same rights we enjoy, and they know they need the same protections. Everybody deserves dignity and respect, and every worker deserves protections and a ladder to grow in their work.

“In the past few years, we’ve seen some landmark wins, like nationally with Amazon and Starbucks, and closer to home with Cal Academy of Sciences. Everybody who works right now is hungry for a union. That’s why it’s so important for SEIU 1021 to go out there and share our knowledge and passion with them, so we can bring them into our movement and build power for working people. With so many older workers retiring and younger workers coming in, the time is definitely now.”

SEIU 1021 is playing a crucial role with the Starbucks organizing efforts across Northern California, recently helping partners at the 40th and Emery store in Emeryville file for their union election.

Reynaldo Hernández, who has been a partner at that store for eight years, said, “Personally, I’m feeling excited, I’m feeling relieved, I’m feeling powerful, and I’m feeling more appreciated than ever. Finally our voices become louder together. Finally our issues and concerns will be solved.”

If you want to show your support for this crucial work that brings more members into our union, come to the 40th and Emery store this Thursday, December 14, between 11 a.m. and noon and place your order using the name “Union Strong”!