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Union power at the ballot box: SEIU 1021 celebrates Mike Silva’s victory in Solano County
SEIU 1021 congratulates Mike Silva on his victory in Solano County’s 4th Supervisorial District race. Silva defeated Vacaville Mayor John Carli in the November 3 election, securing 55.4% of the vote in a significant win for organized labor and working families.
SEIU 1021 rejoices in Jane Kim’s win as California’s new Insurance Commissioner
Jane Kim has been elected to serve as California’s next Insurance Commissioner. The former San Francisco Supervisor and labor ally promises to slash rising premium rates and put people ahead of insurance company profits.
Over the last four years, Jane Kim served as the California Director for the Working Families Party and turned to SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford for guidance ahead of the election. On Friday, Nov. 6 President Rutherford joined a gathering at Mission Dolores Park in San Francisco to congratulate Kim on the win.
“Hold their feet to fire”: Community gathers for election celebration at SF Civic Center, promises to hold elected leaders accountable
A blue wave has washed over the U.S. despite aggressive intimidation tactics used to stifle voters, particularly people of color. Hundreds of supporters and a coalition led by Bay Resistance and SEIU 1021 gathered in San Francisco’s Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 7 to celebrate with song and dance. It was a time to rejoice but also remind incoming lawmakers that the work has just begun. They must deliver on their campaign promises and focus on priorities voters made clear, including protecting our immigrant communities from violent kidnappings.
Valley Mountain Regional Center ratifies contract reopener with extension
The Valley Mountain Regional Medical Center (VMRC) in San Joaquin County is celebrating a victory! They won a new contract reopener with 5.5% pay raises over two years, plus increases to their health care coverage contributions. This protection and benefits come just as members brace to face H.R.1federal funding cuts.
San Joaquin Housing Authority wins 3-year contract, no takeaways
SEIU 1021 members at Housing Authority of San Joaquin voted to ratify their new three-year contract. After months of negotiations, the bargaining team was able to secure higher cost-of-living (COLA) increases each year, as well as an increase in healthcare contributions by the employer, and NO takeaways!
A time to celebrate and activate: A statement from SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford on the 2026 midterm election results
From SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford:
As the results of the 2026 midterm elections continue to roll in, we are witnessing a reckoning. This is a historic moment, one we must savor and celebrate, and we must not take it for granted.
While not all the elections are called yet, one thing is clear—the American people have taken a stand against hatred, bigotry, and the divisive narrative that sought to weaponize our diversity; instead, we have chosen to be stronger together.
SEIU 1021 Convention 2027: Save the Date—20 Years of Building Worker Power!
Save the Date: 20 Years of Building Worker Power!
Mark your calendars! SEIU 1021’s 2027 convention is coming to Sacramento August 21–22, bringing members together to celebrate “20 Years of Building Worker Power!”
Together, we’ll commemorate two decades of organizing and winning—and help shape the next chapter of our union.
Community gathers at SF City Hall for Defend the Vote rally
Labor, faith, community, and civil rights leaders gathered on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, October. 22, to encourage people to learn their rights, as well as exercise their voice and their vote. Voting is how the working class can secure money, power, and respect for all of us and demand billionaires and large corporations pay their fair share.
The event came as communities face increasing barriers to vote across the country with threats to the integrity of our elections.
City College staff, teachers, and students rally with local leaders, demand Board staff up, invest budget surplus in school
On Thursday, October 22, City College of San Francisco (CCSF) students, faculty, classified professionals, and community supporters held the Rally for the City College Our Students Deserve. Union members from SEIU 1021 and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT 2121) joined students and community members and called on GrowSF’s billionaire-backed CCSF Board of Trustees to bargain in good faith and end chronic understaffing, ongoing safety concerns, and underfunding of essential programs by providing sustainable staffing and resources.
Superior Court of San Joaquin County chapter ratifies new contract
After several months of negotiations, the Superior Court of San Joaquin County chapter has ratified a new contract addressing long-standing requests, wage increases, longevity pay, and significant comp time.
Here’s what was won:
San Francisco city and labor leaders gather to say NO on Prop 43
On Wednesday, October 7, city and labor leaders — including San Francisco Mayor Dan Laurie, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford, California Professional Firefighters President Darrell Roberts, and Evolve California Executive Director Ben Grieff — gathered in front of San Francisco Fire Department Station 5 to let the public know they are voting NO on Prop 43.
SEIU 1021 members at San Francisco MTA ratify new contract
Friday, October 9, SEIU 1021 members at San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SF MTA) ratified their union contract.
SEIU 1021 members stand with union demands from Palestine
On Friday, October 10, SEIU 1021 members took part in Oakland People’s Arms Embargo’s massive demonstration outside the Oakland offices of shipping giant FedEx. They rallied to draw attention to FedEx’s complicity in the genocide of Palestinians and to demand an end to FedEx military cargo shipments to Israel.
Among the 1021 members in attendance were North Coast Vice President Travis Balzarini, Non-Profit/Private Industry Chair Jeffery Dix, RN Industry Chair John Pearson, and Alameda Health Systems President and Retirement Security Committee Chair Maria Betancourt.
Join us at the Defend the Vote rally at SF City Hall
Thursday, Oct. 22
Our democracy is at stake. Republican lawmakers across the country are redrawing district lines to disenfranchise underserved and Black communities, and Trump’s Supreme Court is siding with them. These new maps are just one of the hurdles the GOP is putting up to make it harder for many Americans to vote and have their votes count.
Rideshare drivers, community advocates, and elected officials call on California Public Utilities Commission to increase local oversight over autonomous vehicles
On Thursday, October 8, driver leaders with the California Gig Workers Union and their community allies rallied outside the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting in Sacramento to demand greater transparency, accountability and local control over commercial autonomous vehicles (AVs). The rally came ahead of a Commission vote on new rules governing how AVs are deployed and operated on California streets.
SEIU 1021 members at Dixon Unified School District overwhelmingly vote ‘YES’ on new contract
On Tuesday, October 6, SEIU 1021 members at Dixon Unified School District — including administrative support, financial services, food service, information technology, instructional support, maintenance, and operations — voted overwhelmingly in favor of their new successor contract covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
Newsom signs AB 1601, opening a path to the first Sonoma County pension COLA since 2008
Sonoma County retirees are one step closer to their first pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) since 2008.
Sunday, September 27, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1601. The law gives the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors the flexibility to grant COLAs to county and Superior Court retirees and their beneficiaries, and to target that relief to the people who need it most.
Joy is resistance! Fourth annual Latino Heritage Celebration builds unity and strength through celebration
Some Friday nights are better than others, challenging all other Fridays to step up.
That was the case Friday, October 2, 2026 — the fourth annual Latino Heritage Celebration in Oakland.
On that particular Friday, more than 300 SEIU 1021 members and their guests packed Oakland’s Just Dance Ballroom for good food, inspiring words, and dances from across Latin America. From start to finish, the room was full of hugs, group photos, and laughter.
Bringing the heat: Santa Clara University teaching faculty and allies rally in high spirits despite high temps
On Wednesday, September 30, more than 100 Santa Clara University (SCU) teaching faculty, tenure-stream colleagues, students, elected officials, fellow union members, and community allies rallied on campus, undeterred by the heat, in a powerful show of solidarity with teaching faculty and the time, expertise, and dedication they bring to their students.
Peralta Community College District classified staff kick off bargaining with a united front
On Tuesday, September 22, nearly 100 SEIU 1021 members at Peralta Community College District (PCCD), along with community supporters, came together at Berkeley City College for the SEIU 1021 bargaining kickoff rally. Students, security guards, former PCCD staff, and passersby stopped, listened, asked questions, and stood with workers as members made clear why what happens at the bargaining table impacts everyone.