Newswire
Unionized Starbucks workers celebrate Pride
Thursday, June 27, a dozen unionized baristas and cashiers celebrated Pride at the Starbucks on Davison Drive and Deer Valley Road in Antioch, CA.
“Working for a multi-billion dollar corporation, I unionized because we deserve to have a say when it comes to our pay and staffing levels,” said Jasper Fontaine, a shift supervisor. “We’re having a sip-in to celebrate Pride because many of us are queer, and we want to create a welcoming environment both to queer Starbucks partners and to queer Starbucks customers. The union is inclusive.”
City of San Rafael members ratify union contract, making major strides to address public staffing crisis
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.
Members protest proposed budget cuts to Oakland City services
Unions representing Oakland city employees united on Friday, June 28, to together protest a proposal that would address a historical budget deficit by slashing funding to critical services, including firefighters and police.
Members of SEIU 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 gathered in front of City Hall at Frank Ogawa Plaza in the afternoon, donning their union colors and holding up signs that read, “Chop from the top!”
SEIU 1021 members celebrate Juneteenth at Vallejo Festival and Parade
On Saturday, June 15, SEIU 1021 members joined thousands of attendees at the Vallejo Juneteenth Festival & Parade held at the Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green. The event, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, featured a vibrant celebration of culture, history, and community spirit.
San Francisco’s community ambassadors rally to save vital program
The mayor cut them out of the budget. Sup. Dean Preston is on a mission to save them.
Community ambassadors working for San Francisco’s Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs provide invaluable services to their communities every day. Most of them are multilingual, prepared to provide information to and help navigate residents and visitors in their own languages.
SFDPH nurses, SFMTA Service Critical workers ratify contracts with big improvements
By 86% and 95% margins respectively, the last two SEIU 1021 San Francisco City & County bargaining units have locked in gains despite challenging budget
The threat of a widespread San Francisco city worker strike is officially over: Large supermajorities of members of SEIU 1021, the union representing over 16,000 city workers, have voted to ratify agreements reached with the City and County across three collective bargaining units.
SEIU 1021 members tell the Alameda Health System Board of Trustees: “SAFE STAFFING SAVES LIVES”
Last Wednesday, June 12, hundreds of SEIU 1021 members gathered in Highland Hospital’s cafeteria before marching on the Alameda Health System Board of Trustees, chanting “SAFE STAFFING SAVES LIVES!”
At the Board of Trustees meeting, member after member spoke up to demand a fair contract that addresses the core issues hurting AHS workers: bad management, safety, and staffing.
With an overwhelming supermajority of 71% YES votes, the City of Berkeley’s Clerical and Maintenance chapters vote to ratify their tentative agreement!
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.”
SEIU members rally at California State Capitol to advocate for a fair budget for Californians
Hundred of union members from across the state came together in solidarity to speak out against proposed budget cuts
On Tuesday, June 11, hundreds of SEIU members from across the state marched and rallied alongside community allies at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to advocate for their vision of a fair budget for Californians.
The updated state budget as of May 10 reduces one-time spending by $19.1 billion and ongoing spending by $13.7 billion until 2025-26.
Napa County members ratify strong new contract
SEIU 1021 members working for Napa County ratified a new contract by 92%. Votes were tallied June 3.
The contract, effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, includes a total 11% wage increase and winter recess. Employees will receive base wage increases of 4% in year 1, 3.5% in year 2, and 3.5% in year 3.
Additionally, a winter recess period has been established, with employees receiving 32 hours of winter paid time off annually.
Alameda Health System members vote 99.5% to strike!
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.
Exclusive San Francisco mayoral candidate town hall hosted for SEIU 1021 members
SEIU 1021 members packed a room at the San Francisco union hall on Tuesday, June 4, for an exclusive event. The town hall featured the top five candidates running to become San Francisco’s next mayor.
San Francisco Citywide members ratify strong contract by 91%
In the face of a big budget deficit, members' unity and participation made all the difference
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.
SEIU 1021 members fight for free speech and a ceasefire in Gaza
Speaking up in the workplace can be difficult. In fact, that’s one of the things our bosses count on: that we as working people will be afraid to speak our minds and bring our values into our workplaces.
SEIU elects April Verrett as the union’s first Black international president at the quadrennial convention in Philadelphia
In a historic vote, members also elect former SEIU 1021 President Joseph Bryant as executive vice president and SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford into the SEIU International Executive Board.
SEIU members made history on May 20 by electing April Verrett as international president, making her the first Black woman to lead the union in our 103-year history. Verrett previously served as secretary-treasurer alongside former Mary Kay Henry, who stepped down as international president after an influential 14-year tenure.
Over 3,500 SEIU members from across the country, Puerto Rico, and Canada participated in the vote held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the union’s first in-person convention in eight years.
Cal Academy of Sciences members fight back against layoffs
Less than a year after forming their union, they are still organizing -- for a fair first contract and to prevent proposed layoffs
Since voting by a landslide 77% to form their union with SEIU 1021 last July, workers at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco have not stopped organizing. In addition to pushing for a fair first contract at the bargaining table, they are now also having to fight proposed involuntary layoffs. Wednesday, May 22, they took that fight directly to the Academy’s board of trustees.
SF Supervisor Ahsha Safaí introduces ballot measure to address first responder shortage
San Francisco District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí joined nurses, 911 dispatchers, and other essential city workers outside of San Francisco General Hospital on Tuesday, May 21, to announce a ballot measure to address the city’s shortage of first responders.
Join the June 11 march and rally for a fair budget in Sacramento
MARCH FOR A BUDGET NOW! MARCH & RALLY FOR A SECURE CALIFORNIA SAFETY NET
SEIU 1021 members: Mark your calendars for an important event! Join SEIU members from around the state on Tuesday, June 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Sacramento for a march and rally advocating for a fair and balanced budget for all Californians.
1021 members stand for global solidarity in Richmond
On Sunday, May 19, SEIU 1021 members gathered with local residents and climate justice groups at Richmond’s Unity Park for Anti-Chevron Day: From Richmond to Palestine.
The annual event is a day of solidarity for all people and communities affected by Chevron’s greedy, anti-union, and destructive business practices. Anti-Chevron Day connects Richmond’s ongoing struggle for justice with movements to end violence and environmental racism all around the world.
Nurses at SF public hospitals & community clinics vote by 99.5% to authorize a strike — then win tentative agreement within days
Registered nurses from across San Francisco Department of Public Health gathered at their union hall on May 17 to count ballots that asked members whether to allow their contract negotiations team to authorize the bargaining team to call a strike. The results: A 99.5% landslide in favor.
That’s because SFDPH management had refused to take meaningful action to address chronic staffing undermining patient care.