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San Francisco Newsletter: February 2021
Welcome to the February issue of our new recurring monthly newsletter for SEIU 1021 members in San Francisco. You can read our most recent issue here, or keep reading below to see recaps of the big fights our members have taken on in the last month.
You’ll also find updates on ongoing campaigns around the city and stories celebrating some of our union’s most recent victories.
After a Virtual Press Conference, Unions of SFUSD Reach a Tentative Agreement on Safety Protocols and Vaccines to Re-Open SF Schools
On Friday, February 5, the Unions of SFUSD, which includes SEIU 1021, United Educators of SF, UASF, and IFPTE Local 21, held a virtual press conference on school re-openings. Workers proposed a pathway for the health and safety protocols that are necessary for a safe return to in-person learning for students, teachers, workers, and SF communities.
VICTORY: SF P103 Per Diem Nurses Win COVID-19 Leave
Nurses are the frontline of defense for our community’s health and have worked tirelessly around the clock to keep our city’s residents safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. When the city rolled out its COVID leave bank last March, however, P103 nurses were not given access to that emergency leave. This was unacceptable, so our union jumped into action.
Video Killed the Radio Star, but Automation May Kill Public Radio Station 91.7 KALW
On Tuesday, January 26, 91.7 KALW staff joined radio hosts and unionized musicians from across the country to speak out at the SFUSD school board meeting against staff cuts and automation at the local station in an attempt to save public radio at KALW. Over the last year, local radio station 91.7 KALW has been making not-so-subtle changes to their live broadcast programming and announcing staffing.
San Francisco Newsletter: January 2021
Welcome to the first issue of our new recurring monthly newsletter for SEIU 1021 members in San Francisco. You can read our most recent issue here.
Keep reading to see recaps of the big fights our members have taken on in the last month, as well as updates on ongoing campaigns around the city and stories celebrating some of our union’s most recent victories.
Making a Difference: Mendocino Members Speak Up and Prevent COVID-19 Vaccines from Going to Waste
When a freezer that was used to store the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Northern California hospital broke down in early January, hospital officials realized they only had about two hours to administer the more than 800 doses that were stored inside. Our Mendocino County members immediately jumped into action, assisting in the rapid deployment of vaccines to their community. In just two hours, workers were able to get 200 badly needed doses administered.
Friday, January 15: Join a Car Caravan to Support Striking Fast Food Workers
In solidarity with fast-food workers across the nation who are fighting for a $15 minimum wage and a union, our local will be joining the nationwide strike at fast food locations in both Oakland and Sacramento on Friday, January 15. During the pandemic, fast-food corporations have prospered because frontline workers reported to duty despite being denied basic protections from PPE to paid sick leave. The pandemic has only underscored the urgent need for fast-food workers in the state to have a union.
Prop 22 Is Bad for Workers: That’s Why We Are Suing to Strike It Down
Today, January 12, 2021 app workers and members of We Drive Progress and Mobile Workers Alliance, along with consumers and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), filed a lawsuit challenging Proposition 22 for violating our state constitution. Prop 22 should be struck down.
Marin Municipal Water District workers secure a new contract
This month, our members at Marin Municipal Water District overwhelmingly ratified our next contract. Workers were able to secure this agreement because of our strong membership numbers and because we speak with one voice as a union in our political engagement with elected leaders and also with managers at our worksite.
Dominican University adjuncts secure massive settlement for workers during difficult times
SEIU 1021 members at Dominican University recently showcased the power of our union, as they were able to secure a settlement totaling around $750,000 for their members during recent negotiations.
Adjunct faculty at the university were negotiating their second contract as members of SEIU 1021, having joined our union in early 2015. Adjunct professors often have considerable less security than tenured, full-time faculty, making the power of a union essential in their fights for improved wages and benefits.
After a successful strike, new management comes to Alameda Health System
CEO out, SEIU 1021 member in as a Trustee
Workers at Alameda Health System, the county’s safety-net healthcare system, have been fighting for better care, better management, and a fair contract. After their successful five-day unfair labor practice strike in early October, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors stepped in and demanded that the AHS Board of Trustees resign. Last week, AHS CEO Delvecchio Finley gave the Board of Supervisors a letter of resignation, and today, SEIU 1021 Vice President of Organizing Jennifer Esteen, a psychiatric nurse at San Francisco General Hospital, will be sworn in as one of the new trustees.
California College of the Arts workers protest unsafe decisions, demand a fair contract and an end to ongoing mismanagement
On Sunday, November 22, California College of the Arts staff, adjunct professors, and community supporters tied themselves together with caution tape and took to the street to block traffic in protest of the administration’s refusal to bargain a new contract and address mounting safety concerns related to COVID-19.
SEIU Leaders Join Fast Food Digital Assembly to Show Support, Reflect on Recent Victories Wage and Workplace Safety Victories
On November 20th, SEIU 1021 President Joseph Bryant and SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry joined fast food workers from across the country for the Justice for Fast Food Workers: Call to Action digital assembly.
The elections are over, but our fight to protect public services goes on
This year, we had one of the most consequential election we’ve ever faced. Elections aren’t just about electing candidates—it’s equally important for us to pass local revenue measures to help fund the services and resources we provide. This year, we won big.
Connect to Our Union Like Never Before with Our New Mobile App
Did you know that SEIU 1021 has its own mobile app? It’s true! The app is for members only, and it will connect you to our union like never before. You can use the app to:
After Historic Five-Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike by 3,000 Frontline Healthcare Workers, Alameda County’s Board of Supervisors Fires the Trustees Who Run the System
The Strike Was So Successful, the Bosses Got Fired
After a five-hour hearing on Tuesday, October 20, featuring statements from AHS management and many AHS workers, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to demand the resignation of the current Alameda Health System Board of Trustees.
This is a huge step forward for the members’ fight for a fair contract and a public healthcare system that works for the community and its employees.
Historic Five Day ULP Strike Forces AHS Management to Back Down and Put Patients and Workers First
Healthcare workers at Alameda County’s safety-net hospital system, Alameda Health System, have been fighting for better patient care and safer conditions for workers for months. They have stood against the system’s mismanagement and underfunding and called for the removal of the unelected Board of Trustees and overmatched CEO Delvecchio Finley, so that the community can receive the healthcare it deserves and the workers don’t have to fight understaffing, constant PPE shortages, and layoffs that leave our whole community less safe.
“I’m afraid of what will happen to our patients if we don’t strike.”
More Than 3,000 Healthcare Workers Vote to Strike and Deliver 10-Day Notice of Unfair Labor Practice Strike to Alameda Health System
Healthcare workers united in SEIU 1021 announce an unfair labor practice strike, issuing 10-day notice to Alameda Health System on September 26, with a press conference at 1221 Oak St. in Oakland.
At issue are unfair labor practices, understaffing, health and safety issues for the patients and workers, and an unelected, unaccountable management team that is not providing adequate patient care for the community.
Alameda Health System Members Say “Enough!” and Vote on Authorizing a Strike to Fix a Broken System and Protest Unfair Labor Practices
Alameda Health System is Alameda County’s safety-net public health system. It serves a mostly low-income community that is more than 70% Black and brown, and delivers more than 200,000 hours of patient care per year. As the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our communities, with more than 20,000 cases and 350 tragic deaths in the county so far, the system has been stretched to the limit.
Our 2020 Endorsements and Important Ballot Measures
This election is unlike any other. 1021 fights to make sure our
voices are heard at the ballot box so that we can win on policies
that benefit workers and our communities. This year, we have an
added obligation to vote for candidates who will protect workers
through a pandemic and for ballot measures that fund essential
services through this economic crisis.
It is our duty as union members to stand up for our fellow
workers and neighbors for workers’ justice. We do that by voting.