Port of Oakland
Port of Oakland
SEIU 1021 staff and member leaders are working hard to safeguard your health at work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to find employer-specific information, details, and documents to learn more about what’s happening in your worksite during this outbreak.
ownload the Port of Oakland Memorandum of Understanding (2022 - 2025)
Port of Oakland workers petition against an unfair firing
On March 14, 2024, members and supporters of SEIU 1021 at the Port of Oakland submitted a petition to the Port commissioners, bearing more than 100 signatures, calling for an investigation into the unjust dismissal of George Vaioleti, a union member and a dedicated employee of 17 years.
Their solidarity was unmistakable. They made their stance clear by donning union colors and wearing “Bring George Back” buttons in a call for justice. George expressed his gratitude for this demonstration of unity and support from his colleagues.
Are the Port’s Policies and Trainings Fair?
Take Our Survey and Let Us Know!
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring fair treatment and equitable policies in the workplace, we are conducting a survey to gather your thoughts and experiences regarding the implementation of Port of Oakland policies, particularly focusing on drug policies.
SEIU 1021 Port of Oakland Chapter Meeting
Thursday, September 14, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m., via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://seiu1021.zoom.us/j/87893012170
Meeting ID: 878 9301 2170
Dial by your location
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 878 9301 2170
Port of Oakland Custodian Shift Bid Committee Elections
Election to be held via email
Vote from noon Friday, August 25
Through noon Monday, August 28
It’s time to elect a Shift Bid Committee! Our MOU specifies that the 2024 Shift Bid Committee will help determine any changes that need to be made to improve the bidding process and work zones.
Port of Oakland Custodians:
Shift Bid Committee Updates Thursday, June 8, in the Yosemite Room
Come to our worksite meetings this week to:
Port of Oakland Chapter Officer Elections Are Complete!
Chapter elections for SEIU 1021’s Port of Oakland chapter have been completed.
There were 105 votes tallied, and the results are as follows, with winners in bold.
NEW Custodial Shift Bid Committee Nominations Are Open!
We are looking for six (6) custodians, ideally, two (2) per shift (Days, Swing, and Grave), who want to continue making our union strong.
Under the newly negotiated contract language, the 2024 Shift Bid Committee will begin meeting with management in July. The committee will help determine any changes that need to be made to improve the bidding process and work zones.
When we meet with management, you will receive release time, if you are scheduled to work. There may be some dates/times that you will need to volunteer your time.
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.
The Votes Are In — SEIU 1021 Members Have Overwhelmingly Voted to Ratify Our Tentative Agreement!
The Port Commissioners will vote to accept the agreement at an upcoming meeting. We will have further updates soon. If you want to review the terms of the agreement that our members just overwhelmingly voted to ratify, you can do so on our website:
Tentative Agreement Summary
Between SEIU Local 1021 and the Port of Oakland
Late in the night on Tuesday, April 4, on the eve of our Strike School and Strike Vote sessions, your elected bargaining team came to a comprehensive Tentative Agreement (TA) with the Port of Oakland.
This three-year-and-three-month contract includes solid wage increases, retroactive to the expiration of our last contract, improved disciplinary procedures and job protections, and retains our right to strike.
Port Management Wants Us To Settle For Low Wages, Unfair Discipline, And NO RIGHT TO STRIKE
To win a fair contract, we need to show management that we’re sticking together and willing to do what it takes. Our elected Bargaining Team is asking every member to come to Strike School and vote YES to authorize a strike, if it becomes necessary.
STRIKE SCHOOL AND STRIKE VOTE
Wednesday, April 5
Alameda Labor Council HQ
7750 Pardee Lane, Suite 110
Oakland, CA 94621
Just minutes from the airport.
Plenty of free parking available.
As Mediation Continues, PURPLE UP EVERY FRIDAY
February 2023 Union Update
Port management continues to push for takeaways in mediation.
They want to:
- Force us to accept a no-strike clause
- Reject our swing shift and graveyard shift differentials
- Deny us a fair raise as inflation continues to hurt our members
- Refuse dedicated safety training for Port workers
- Reduce the rights of custodians to have their bidded shifts
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We need to purple up every Friday to show management that we’re united and we won’t accept these takeaways.
When we fight, we WIN!
January 2023 Update on Our Arbitration Victory
When custodians were assigned out of their bidded area more than five times in a month, our union filed a grievance over the violation of Article 6B2 of our contract. Management fought us, but we wouldn’t back down, and eventually we took the issue all the way to arbitration—and won!
Port of Oakland workers picket for a fair workplace and a strong contract
Throughout the pandemic, Port of Oakland workers have been pushed to the limit, and they’re fighting back again to win a contract and put a stop to unfair disciplines and chronic understaffing. You can help by signing their petition here.
Custodial Shift Bid Committee Nominations Are Open!
Get Involved to Make Your Union Stronger!
We are looking for six (6) custodians, ideally, two (2) per shift (Days, Swing, and Grave), who want to continue making our union strong.
The 2023 Custodial Shift Bid meet and confer committee will help determine any changes that need to be made to improve the bidding process and work zones.
When we meet with management, you will receive release time, if you are scheduled to work. There may be some dates/times that you will need to volunteer your time.
You will be responsible for reporting back and collecting information from your coworkers.
Union Update
Port Management Unprepared for Arbitration
The Port communicated to SEIU that they wanted to settle
outstanding grievances before they go before an arbitrator. We
meet with the Port on June 6, 2022, with the intention of
settlement. As a union, we were prepared!
Winning for Members
Port of Oakland NEW Work From Home Pilot Program Announced
Our union has met and conferred with Port management, and we’re pleased to announce a new work from home pilot program, a good step forward for better working conditions. If your work can be done from home and if you are interested in this opportunity, request an eligibility form from your supervisor.
Please note: to participate in this program, your address must be correct with HR.
Highlights:
SEIU ELECTION NOTICE
Bargaining Committee, Special Chapter Officer Election and Bylaws
Bargaining Committee Election
Interested in bargaining for our next contract? Then join the Negotiation Team. Worried about missing work while bargaining? Don’t be! SEIU Local 1021 will handle that, while you will be handling the contract.
Port of Oakland Custodians Speak Out About the Understaffing Making the Airport Unsafe for Passengers and Workers
“What do we want? We want to be safe! What do we want? We want YOU safe!”
On Wednesday, April 14, dozens of custodians at Oakland International Airport held an informational picket to call out chronic understaffing that is leaving crucial sanitation work undone and creating unsafe conditions. The custodians picketed and hung a banner over 880 to call attention to the issues they have been facing for more than a year.
Oakland Airport Custodians Bring Their Safety and Staffing Demands Straight to the Boss
“Know one thing: Custodians are essential!”
Custodians are standing together to demand an end to understaffing and improved safety in the workplace at Oakland’s International Airport.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cleaning high-traffic areas absolutely cannot be compromised on, but understaffing is making that impossible at the airport. As Jo’Ell Thompson, a custodian at the Oakland Airport for ten years, said, “We are cleaning contaminated areas, where people who are known to be infected have been, but we’re understaffed and unable to keep the airport properly cleaned.”