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Tuesday, October 15, Sonoma County SEIU 1021 members successfully pushed the Board of Supervisors to increase the number of airport operation specialists (frontline staff in charge of airport safety) from 8 to 10 at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.

Last week, SEIU 1021 members gathered at the Fairfield union hall for a spirited get out the vote (GOTV) evening, focused on urging the community to support the Harris/Walz ticket. The event brought together members committed to making their voices heard in the upcoming election.

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.

SEIU 1021 members working in the City of Oakland’s parks department had for years been asked to use improperly rated, unsafe equipment to take care of the parks that everyday Oaklanders enjoy. After months of calling out these hazardous working conditions, these city workers had had enough and took action. 

On Saturday, July 27, the SEIU Local 1021 Executive Board passed a divestment resolution drafted by rank-and-file members of 1021 Members for Palestine Divestment Committee. 

Monday, August 5, SEIU 1021 members joined San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin at a press conference to call for immediate implementation of a recently-approved ordinance to fund acquisition and construction of affordable workforce and middle-income housing.

Tuesday, July 23, four out of the five Mendocino County Board Supervisors voted to raise their own pay from $95,302 to $110,715, giving each Board member a total compensation of $160,715. In total, more than 45 SEIU 1021 members and allied community members gave public comment against this raise.

Tuesday, July 16, the SEIU 1021 members who keep Sebastopol functioning – including maintenance workers, water treatment operators, and building department support staff – took on Sebastopol City Council during their bi-monthly meeting. Their objective: to stress the importance of public services and avoiding future bankruptcy. These SEIU 1021 members were joined by the city’s police officers to emphasize the importance of putting a modest half-cent sales tax on the ballot for November.  

The Oakland City Council voted in favor of the mayor’s budget proposal on Tuesday, July 2, saving SEIU 1021 members from any immediate threat of job cuts.

The days leading up to the vote grew contentious as city workers fought against proposed changes that would cut public services and jobs. They packed the council chambers alongside community allies and activists leading up to the vote and on the day of the vote, urging council members to stick with the initial plan to backfill a deficit with the sale of the Coliseum. 

On Thursday, June 27, SEIU 1021 members working for the City of San Rafael – including childcare providers, street maintenance workers, library staff, and administrative staff – voted by an overwhelming 97.1% to ratify a contract with the City. The new agreement makes major strides to address the staffing crisis that has been plaguing San Rafael’s children, families, and residents. 

The members turned out in record numbers, and with a 71% YES vote, the historic City of Berkeley maintenance and clerical tentative agreement has been ratified.

The democratically achieved victory was ratified by a supermajority and includes many significant wins, including a historic COLA and protecting the 100% employer-paid medical coverage.

Maintenance Chapter President Danny Walker said, “I’m confident in saying that this is our best contract in 20 years.”

After months of bargaining and numerous unfair labor practices from Alameda Health System management, SEIU 1021 members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize their bargaining team to call a strike. 99.5% voted to strike.

Veronica Palacios, who serves as the AHS chapter president, said, “Our members have spoken, and they’ve spoken loudly. We’re frontline healthcare workers, and we’re trying to serve our community. However, we have to deal with unfair labor practices from management every single day.

With strong turnout, SEIU 1021 members in the San Francisco Citywide (“Miscellaneous”) bargaining unit voted by 91% to ratify the new three-year agreement won through a fierce contract campaign this year.

Members voted throughout the month of May, and votes were counted at the San Francisco union hall on May 30.

In the face of serious budget issues in the City of Oakland, SEIU 1021 members have spoken up repeatedly alongside other working people. On Tuesday, May 14, they called on City Council and Mayor Sheng Thao to prioritize services for the community and avoid furloughs, layoffs, and other cuts. 

Wednesday, May 8, the union members who keep Mendocino Lake Community College running – including custodians, admissions staff, financial aid staff, and maintenance technicians – demanded that their board of trustees invest in the Mendocino community. 

According to a report surveying workers in Mendocino County, “22% have experienced homelessness, with three percent currently homeless while working… 18% of respondents reporting applying for federal, state, and local programs to help with housing costs.” 

More than 100 SEIU 1021 members from Napa County and City of Napa gathered at the Napa County administration building on Tuesday, May 7, to rally for improved working conditions and fair treatment for workers.

As negotiations continue for new contracts for both bargaining units, the workers highlighted the pressing need for increased cost-of-living adjustments to combat rising prices, reduce turnover, and fill vacancies.

Like many of us in SEIU 1021, members in San Joaquin County have been dutifully donning purple every Wednesday for years. Since 2018, Region E Vice President  Taffie Walter has made it her mission to get members into the spirit to build camaraderie and show solidarity to management across all chapters.

“It reminds us we are unified and together in a positive way,” said Taffie. “It also shows management the union is still present even when we may not be in bargaining.”

Do you live in or near Sacramento, or can you make it there? On May 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join advocates and activists at the state capitol building’s west steps (at 1315 10th and L St.) in Sacramento for the “Hands Off Kids and Families” rally and lobby day.

Registered nurses with San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH), Laguna Honda Hospital, and SF’s community clinics say tension is high, risk is up, and morale is low. They rallied outside of SFGH on April 23 against unsafe working conditions then boarded a bus to storm the SFDPH Health Commission meeting. They delivered 2,000 “assignment despite objection” forms documenting how short staffing is leading to serious risk to both patients and hospital workers. 

Last summer, SEIU 1021 members worked closely with Oakland mayor Sheng Thao and progressive councilmembers, including Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Carroll Fife, and Rebecca Kaplan, to ensure that the city’s budget reflected Oakland values, even in the face of significant deficits.

Over 100 San Francisco Public Library staff and other SF City and County workers rallied Tuesday, April 9, to demand that the SF Public Library take action to keep them and their patrons safe and more full-time jobs for the over half of all library employees currently part-time.

Thursday, April 11, San Francisco Department of Public Health negotiators were met with a wave of impassioned testimonials from SEIU 1021 registered nurses from the city’s public hospitals and community clinics. Dozens of RNs filled the bargaining room, putting a face on the staffing crisis decimating patient care.

SEIU 1021 members, mark your calendars! Hold the date for our SEIU 1021 Convention, scheduled for September 28-29 in Sacramento.

Under this year’s empowering theme “Dream, Organize, Fight, Win!” this convention will be a rallying point for our union’s collective vision and determination.

Hundreds of California fast workers officially formed a union with SEIU last week, and now they are headed to take their seat on the Fast Food Council on Friday, March 15. 

The statewide Fast Food Council consists of California fast food workers, government appointees, and industry leaders that will help improve working conditions for the state’s over 500,000 fast food workers. It was created by the passage of AB 1228 last year.

Monday, March 11, SEIU 1021 members at Marin Housing Authority (MHA) began an unfair labor practice strike. The strike is currently ongoing at the time of this writing Tuesday, March 12.

This strike comes after MHA employees voted unanimously on February 26 to authorize their bargaining team to call a strike. 

Cassandra James, a proud SEIU 1021 member, has emerged victorious in the election for supervisor in Solano County District 1. It’s not just a win for her, or for SEIU 1021, but for working people in Solano County.

With an unwavering commitment to advocating for diverse communities, working people, and the next generation, Cassandra’s victory is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and community engagement.

Last Friday, February 16, over 500 San Francisco city workers represented by SEIU 1021, IFPTE Local 21, and other unions rallied outside of San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center to shed light on the dangerous impacts of understaffing. In bargaining with unions, the City administration has recently rejected demands to prevent wasteful spending on contracting out. 

View photos and videos on Facebook here.

On Valentine’s Day last Wednesday, February 14, just a week after Uber celebrated its first profitable year since its IPO, more than 150 drivers with the California Gig Workers Union and Gig Workers Rising joined a national gig worker day of action. They came together to demand an end to low pay and unfair deactivations.

Across Northern California, SEIU 1021 members are rallying for strong contracts that help our members bring quality services to our communities. 

If you’re a member in the Bay Area, there are two big actions happening next week, and you’re invited to show up in support!

Thursday, January 18, nearly all 30 Marin Housing Authority (MHA) employees represented by SEIU 1021 picketed outside their worksite to hold MHA accountable to taxpayers and MHA’s residents.

On Monday, January 22, the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, Planned Parenthood Northern California workers announced they have supermajority support to form a union with SEIU 1021.

Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision ended federal protection for abortion rights, demand at some California clinics has quadrupled. This is straining the ability of clinicians, nurses, administrative and support staff, and social workers to sustain the ever heavier workloads.

In a pivotal meeting held this past Saturday, January 13, in San Jose, workers from Bay Area Community Health (BACH) and Asian Health Services met with local politicians and labor leaders. Their goal: to address pressing concerns regarding working conditions and retaliatory actions by BACH management against those attempting to unionize.

The gathering, attended by notable figures including California Senator Aisha Wahab, California Assemblymember Ash Kalra, and San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz, was a platform for BACH workers to voice their concerns.

Friday, January 12, more than 200 SEIU 1021 members attended a unity party in Sacramento, hosted by SEIU 1021 Regional Vice President Akbar Bibb.

Union members danced, enjoyed catered food, took pictures at a photo booth, and celebrated all the achievements they won through solidarity and union strength. Throughout the night, Akbar Bibb held periodic raffle giveaways of snacks, drinks, gift cards, and electronics.

In the latest edition of “Multibillion Dollar Corporations Crying About Why They Can’t Pay a Living Wage,” two large Pizza Hut operators, PacPizza, LLC, and Southern California Pizza Co., have announced they are eliminating over 1,200 in-house delivery positions. 

December 21, 2023, SEIU 1021 members at the City and County of San Francisco were invited to share their experiences and perspectives working on the frontlines of the addiction and overdose crisis as part of an hour-long panel on the KQED Forum radio show.

SEIU 1021 members at HealthRIGHT 360 joined forces with their coworkers across the state to negotiate a strong new contract to address short staffing and turnover. Late last month, they ratified the contract by an overwhelming 98%.

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES. 12/19**

Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201

Thursday, December 7, SEIU 1021 and Jobs With Justice SF came together to host an online teach-in titled “Labor for Peace in Palestine.” This teach-in occurred almost exactly a month after the SEIU 1021 Executive Board issued a statement endorsing the “Ceasefire Now” movement — a statement calling for all armed conflict to cease in Israel and Palestine.

SEIU 1021’s Social and Economic Justice Committee invites SEIU 1021 members, artists, and organizers to a captivating book discussion with Ken Grossinger, author of “Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together.” This engaging event will take place on Wednesday, December 13th, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the San Francisco Union Hall, located at 350 Rhode Island (Kansas Street side).

Event Highlights:

On Friday, November 17, Starbucks workers at the Highway 20 and Tharp store in Yuba City, CA, successfully voted to form a union by a vote of 12-5. This union victory marks the thirtieth store to unionize in California.

As we move into the holiday season, there is much to celebrate and rejoice over. Unions are winning their strongest contracts yet in school districts across Northern California. And, while several districts remain in bargaining, there is good reason to think that the positive trend of historic contracts will continue through to the new year!

SEIU 1021’s dedicated members at Solano County Superior Court successfully reached a tentative agreement after a series of escalating actions that got the public’s attention through media coverage.

Highlights include:

Tuesday, October 24, SEIU 1021 members at Marin Municipal Water District voted 80% to ratify a strong new contract – with significant increases in wages, health and welfare benefits, holidays, and vacations.

Saturday, October 21, marked a first for our union: a special reading by SEIU 1021 members working in higher education at the annual San Francisco Lit Crawl. Elizabeth Travelslight and Hugh Behm-Steinberg of California College of the Arts (CCA) and Robert Moses and Bobby Bradford of Dominican University read their writings at “Unionized Words” at Sour Cherry Comics.

Last Thursday, October 12, SEIU 1021 members working for the Solano County Superior Court held a lunchtime rally in a powerful display of unity. Their call for action? For management to address the critical issue of understaffing that is severely affecting their ability to serve the community effectively.

“We are facing an existential crisis, and that’s why we need to meet now, not in the future! I’m very excited to meet other SEIU members from all over California on November 4.” says Eddie Isaacs, a classified bargaining unit representative for consumer and environmental protection and chair of the SEIU Local 1000 Environmental Committee. He’s just one of the people who will be attending the SEIU Climate Conference on Saturday, November 4, and he hopes to see you there.

SEIU 1021 members in the City of Berkeley’s Clerical and Maintenance chapter have negotiated an important win for newer members in their last contract: Their contributions to California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) were to be reduced from 8% to 0% between 2022 and 2026. Longer-term employees did not have this deduction coming from their checks. 

Nearly 50 SEIU 1021 San Francisco Unified School District chapter members showed up to an afternoon bargaining session on Wednesday, September 20, to share with the district their stories of how four years without a raise as the cost of living skyrockets has impacted them.

Today, September 26, Mendocino County workers rallied at the Board of Supervisors meeting to confront the Board over the County’s staffing crisis.

Tuesday, September 5, Marin Municipal Water District staff marched on the MMWD Board of Directors meeting in response to district management’s continuing demands for concessions on retiree healthcare for future employees, without compensating for the takeaways with commensurate increases to already subpar salaries.

More than 300 SEIU 1021 members employed by Asian Health Services (AHS) are gearing up for an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike starting next Wednesday, September 20. 

The strike follows over seven grueling months of frequently delayed negotiations. AHS management has consistently failed to fully address their concerns or provide critical information, leading to multiple ULP charges.

On Friday, September 1, California State Controller Malia Cohen launched an audit of Mendocino County’s financial records. The audit comes in response to a formal request from SEIU 1021 North Coast Regional Vice President Mary Sandberg, who wrote her to express concerns about the County’s inability to provide accurate financial data – a situation that has severely hindered labor negotiations between the County and its employees.

Blocking intersections, almost running over pedestrians, delaying an ambulance carrying a car accident victim to a hospital: Driverless cars are behind some of the latest issues San Francisco faces.

On August 10, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved resolutions granting additional operating authority for Cruise LLC and Waymo LLC to conduct commercial passenger service using driverless vehicles in San Francisco. The approval includes the ability for both companies to charge fares for rides at any time of day.

Members of SEIU 1021’s Lavender Solidarity Committee will be out and proud at Oakland Pride from September 9 to 10! 

SEIU Local 1021 is a proud sponsor of Oakland Pride.

“I hope SEIU 1021 members actively participate in Oakland Pride this year. We are expecting a bigger contingent than we’ve had in previous years and a livelier booth at the festival,” said Eileen Berkun, chair of the Lavender Solidarity Committee. “We want people to have fun while we showcase our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.”

Today is an exciting day for SEIU 1021 members at Laguna Honda Hospital: After over a year of hard work, Laguna Honda has been approved for recertification by the Medi-Cal program, which over 95% of our patients rely on. This victory cannot be overstated. It not only means that Laguna Honda’s doors will remain open, that our medically fragile patients will not be shipped elsewhere to their detriment, and that our members will keep their jobs.

On August 11, 2023, Asian Health Services (AHS) staff united in a march from their main Chinatown clinic to AHS headquarters. Chants of “Shame on You!” echoing through the streets, AHS workers conveyed their frustration over stalled contract negotiations for fair wages and benefits.

Dr. Star Yang, a doctor at AHS, highlighted the teamwork that drives their mission. “AHS staff are my community. Work wouldn’t be as fun without them, and I actually cannot do my job without them! We are a team, and we need all members to function well.”

Public transit systems in the Bay Area, including AC Transit, BART, and SF Muni, are facing a fiscal cliff due to declining revenues from riders. Without an infusion of revenue, these agencies will be forced to implement drastic cuts that will hurt Bay Area residents who depend on public transit, harm efforts to reduce air pollution, and cost SEIU 1021 members at Muni and BART their jobs.

July 14, 2023, marked the first time that the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG–AFTRA) have walked out on strike simultaneously since 1960.

Both the 2023 SAG–AFTRA and WGA strikes have contributed to the most significant interruption to the United States television and film industries since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

July 12 was supposed to be payday for San Francisco Unified School District staff. Yet, nearly 1,000 of its lowest-paid, hardworking employees, including lunch servers, nutrition workers, janitors, and clerks who help keep San Francisco schools running every day, did not receive their much-needed checks, instead receiving a last-minute email from the district stating that it was “unable to implement that timeline successfully.” Workers were informed their checks wouldn’t be available until two weeks later, on July 26.

On Wednesday, July 5, Starbucks workers at the 8th and Irving store in San Francisco filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board.

“We as workers are making all the money for these billion-dollar companies, and we’re not seeing any of it. We need an end to the disrespect we get from management, and we need consistent, adequate hours and a living wage,” said Atakan Deviren, a barista at the store for the past year. 

SEIU 1021 members at the Superior Court of Butte County achieved a significant victory by campaigning and securing a $16,700 retention bonus. Jennifer L. Hunt, an official court reporter from Butte County, emphasized the importance of this achievement: “I work tirelessly to provide our county with the quality record its citizens deserve. We need additional reporters to support our efforts. That can only be accomplished with a competitive wage.”

On the morning of Tuesday, June 20th Mendocino County workers flooded the Mendocino Board of Supervisors’ meeting. The workers were there to demand the Board prioritize people and services in their budget.

From June 9 to 11, 2023, forty dedicated union member leaders and organizers from across the country, including seven from SEIU Local 1021, participated in the AFL–CIO Organizing Institute. Over those three days, they learned principles, shared their experiences, and reinforced best practices necessary to build a movement to meet this moment. Participants learned how to build workplace power in a variety of ways.

On May 15, 2023, frontline SEIU 1021members employed by nonprofits funded by the City and County of San Francisco rallied on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to call on city leaders to fund cost of living adjustments (COLAs).

The workers say poverty wages are causing excessive turnover and recruitment problems in programs dedicated to addressing the city’s problems with drug addiction, untreated mental health disorders, and homelessness.

May 3, the Dixon Unified School District (DUSD) chapter announced the results of votes by members to authorize a strike — a first for this chapter. A large majority of members – who work as paraprofessionals supporting the district’s special-needs students, nutrition service workers who make sure Dixon students get hot meals every day, staff who keep Dixon schools running smoothly, and custodians, campus monitors, grounds and maintenance staff who keep the schools clean and safe, and various other classified staff – voted yes.

While packed school board meetings usually signal trouble brewing, the mood at the packed Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education meeting last week was festive. SCUSD classified staff — SEIU 1021 members — and educators represented by Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) filled the room to overflowing to celebrate the induction of three new board members they had knocked on thousands of doors to get elected.

Wednesday, November 23, SEIU 1021 joined many Oakland residents at City Hall to welcome Sheng Thao as Oakland’s next mayor. Thao is a longtime friend of working people, having served on Oakland City Council for District 4 since 2018 and as City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan’s chief of staff before that.

On Wednesday, October 19, hundreds of Solano County workers rallied outside the Solano County Government Center to denounce the county administration’s mismanagement of services, highlighting the need for improvements. It was the latest in a series of escalating actions by County workers, who gave speeches on how understaffing of vital worksites on the last day of their contract. Solano County workers have demanded all along that county management show that they value workers’ contributions to this community’s well-being, safety, and future.