Dec. 28, 2021: As we enter the third year of the pandemic, the lives and livelihoods of SEIU 1021 members continue to be threatened by the COVID-19 crisis. While the bosses fought to cut corners, SEIU 1021 members stood in solidarity with one another, braving the frontlines of the pandemic as essential workers. 

In a heartfelt and emotional tribute to all those members who we lost to COVID-19 during our 2021 Virtual Convention, Vice President of Representation Sandra Lewis stressed not losing touch with the human cost of COVID-19 on SEIU 1021 and its members. “Since COVID-19 swept into our communities 18 months ago, over 4 million Californians have contracted the virus and nearly 70,000 have died. Countless frontline workers have been placed in harm’s way while continuing to care for our communities.”

More than numbers, these are people. Vice President Lewis continued, “These numbers are both staggering and heartbreaking. I struggle to grasp the sheer magnitude of COVID-19’s impacts. But we must never lose sight of the fact that these statistics are not nameless or faceless. These numbers represent the sum of human suffering inflicted on our families and loved ones by this virus, and that pain continues to grow each and every day.”