Newswire
Port of Oakland workers prepare for a strike and get big wins
After years of negotiating and organizing to fight off takeaways, Port of Oakland workers have a new contract! Late in the night of Tuesday, April 4, Port workers and management signed a tentative agreement, which port workers then overwhelmingly voted to accept.
SEIU 1021 civil service members raise awareness of workplace health and safety concerns at the de Young Museum
Last Saturday, April 15, SEIU Local 1021 civil service members at the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, came out to raise awareness about the health and safety of both museum workers and patrons alike. Among the significant concerns are the safety and health of security staff, the front-facing workers responsible for securing a safe space for all in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Union busters busted?
Save Mart is in the hot seat as jilted retirees fight back
Save Mart retirees are showing how worker power can make inroads against even the biggest bullies. A group of four retired Save Mart workers has joined together to fight back against the company that persuaded them to accept extra health benefits in exchange for not joining the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
Clinic workers win senate support for $25 healthcare minimum wage and stronger community clinics
Last Wednesday, April 12, clinic workers from across California joined other healthcare workers united in SEIU and went to the state capitol in Sacramento to urge state senators to support for SB 525 (Durazo) and SB 779 (Stern). Appearing before the California Senate’s labor and health committees, more than 300 workers came to share their support for the bills.
Nonprofit and home care workers call on SF to “Drive to $25” by revising the minimum compensation ordinance
Raising the minimum wage for city-funded workers is needed to fully staff frontline care positions to address city’s most difficult problems
On April 11, 2023, a coalition of in-home supportive services (IHSS) workers with SEIU 2015 and frontline nonprofit workers with SEIU 1021 joined together to gather on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to call on the City and County of San Francisco to raise the wages paid to workers responsible for combatting homelessness, addiction and caring for seniors and people with disabilities in San Francisco.
The workers say that poverty wages and worker burnout have caused a short-staffing crisis that is hampering San Francisco’s response to its most challenging problems.
Show up for environmental justice!
Participate in the 3rd annual SEIU Climate Jobs & Justice Summit this Saturday, April 15!
Environmental justice — making sure everyone, including generations yet to come, has access to clean air, pure water, and the other natural resources we all need to live, thrive, and raise our families — is a core commitment of SEIU 1021. At our 2021 convention, delegates voted by 94% to adopt environmental justice and climate action as a plank of the work we do.
Why are California clinic workers talking about SB 525?
The bill would create a $25 minimum wage for all healthcare workers
One out of every six Californians receives care at a community clinic in our state. Community clinics often also provide dental, mental health, and other essential care, and they provide culturally-specific care to the diverse communities of our state. Clinics are a critical part of our healthcare safety net and without them, millions of Californians would have no access to basic and critical care.
San Lorenzo USD classified workers win big with new contract
Members gain wage raises, increased longevity pay, and new holiday
With a strong turnout and 90% of members who voted voting yes to ratify the proposed contract, San Lorenzo Unified classified workers won a huge victory at their March 27 meeting!
Thanks to the bargaining team’s efforts and the membership showing up when called upon, this new contract gives members a 15% pay raise effective July 1, 2022, including retroactive pay from that date, and a 5% raise on July 1, 2023.
Starbucks workers find HELP in the United States Senate
In a jam-packed hearing room last Wednesday, March 29, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) heard testimony from members of Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of SEIU, about the illegal retaliation they have faced for organizing. They also grilled former Starbucks chief executive officer Howard Schultz about his role in leading one of the most vicious union-busting campaigns in U.S. history.
California Academy of Sciences workers take their unionization campaign with SEIU 1021 public
On the eve of César Chávez Day, they introduced the world to CalAcademy Workers United at a public event in the Music Concourse at Golden Gate Park
Thursday, on the eve of the holiday celebrating beloved labor organizer César Chávez, with the noontime sun beaming down after dreary days of rain and wind, dozens of California Academy of Sciences workers convened in the Music Concourse at Golden Gate Park with a very important announcement.
Starbucks workers coast to coast wage major protest day before annual shareholder meeting as pressure mounts over company’s illegal union busting
The eve of Starbucks’ annual shareholder meeting, the company’s workers held actions across the country, including Berkeley, Santa Clara, Mill Valley, El Dorado Hills, San Pablo, and more across Northern California. They are demanding fundamental rights like livable wages, consistent scheduling, safe and respectful workplaces, and the right to organize free from fear and intimidation.
After more than two decades of public service, SEIU 1021 staff member Ariana Casanova prepares for the next step as a candidate for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors
After the tragic passing of longtime Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Richard Valle, the Board has had a vacancy. The County needs a new champion for working families. Valle himself made his own wishes clear before his death: He wanted his successor to be long-time SEIU 1021 political organizer Ariana Casanova.
Strong leaders build strong unions!
Alta California Regional Center chapter swears in 17 new stewards
When union members step into leadership roles, good things happen! Recently, chapter members of Alta California Regional Center, an organization that provides services and support to individuals with disabilities across Northern California, put worker power into action. On March 22, during their general membership meeting, the chapter swore in 17 members as stewards.
Strong leadership is crucial to building a robust union on all levels. And with so many members at Alta in steward roles now, their fellow members will be even better represented.
Speak out against toxic soot!
Sign up for SEIU's Climate Summit on April 15
Soot is a terrible burden on our most vulnerable members of our community: children, elders, and those already living with chronic illness. Soot is a particular issue for working-class and Black and brown families across the country, and we need the EPA to step up and do its job to enact the strongest possible standards to limit soot pollution.
Gig workers continue the fight after the California First District Court of Appeal decision on Proposition 22 lawsuit
Voters approved Proposition 22 over two years ago after app-based ride-hailing and delivery companies, including Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and DoorDash, spent more than $200 million marketing the ballot initiative to Californians as a boon to workers and customers. Despite the promise of flexible schedules, some worker benefits, and low prices, drivers are no better off than before—it has only allowed these companies to deprive them of a living wage, access to workers compensation, paid sick leave, and meaningful healthcare coverage while maximizing their own profits.
SEIU 1021 and Oakland elected leaders join forces to maintain higher education at Holy Names
When Holy Names University (HNU) became the latest private Bay Area nonprofit college to announce its closure after mismanagement, poor decision-making, and self-dealing by administration and board members, SEIU 1021 was immediately invested in advocating for the college to stay open or to be replaced by another higher education institution.
Starbucks workers across U.S. to tell CEO Howard Schultz: “Union busting is disgusting!”
What do you do when the bosses throw parties to celebrate themselves? Starbucks workers in Seattle have an answer: Crash that party and make it your own. Starbucks Corporation is hosting a “Founders Day” event on Wednesday, March 22, in Seattle, Washington, to celebrate CEO Howard Schultz. Union members and supporters plan to be there as well for a party of their own that celebrates the real founders of Starbucks and its erstwhile progressive values: the workers.
As Alameda County’s staffing crisis continues, county workers march on the Board of Supervisors to demand a solution
To protest Alameda County administration’s failure to act urgently to fill its 2,611 vacant positions – nearly 25% of the entire County workforce – more than 100 County workers marched on the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 14, at noon. Workers from SEIU 1021, IFPTE Local 21, and IBT 856 all took the chambers, chanting “Staff up! Alameda County!” for several minutes before workers delivered powerful testimony to the board.
Over 500 Sonoma County workers rally as contract expires
A settlement for 2300 County workers remains distant as County administration refuses to take adequate measures to address retention and recruitment
Over 500 SEIU 1021 members working for Sonoma County braved the rain and cold to rally outside and inside the county administration building as the Board of Supervisors met last Tuesday, February 28, as their contract expired with the County still insisting on takeaways that would completely absorb or even eclipse the cost of living adjustment for many workers.
Dixon Unified School District classified staff pack school board meeting to demand living wage
The Dixon Unified School District school board meeting was flooded with a sea of purple last Thursday, March 2, as over 65 classified employees packed the chambers to share their stories during public comment and show support for their bargaining team, who have been negotiating a successor contract for 11 months.