From union card to vaccine card: members secure vaccination appointments thanks to SEIU 1021
Since the beginning of the pandemic, SEIU 1021 members and member
leaders have been leading the charge and advocating for standards
and protections that frontline essential workers deserve as they
keep our communities running. As a public-sector union, our
members are some of the hardest-hit workers in the country; when
announcements of vaccination availability began to come down the
pipeline, members went to work monitoring and sharing
information as far and wide as possible.
“Through our work with the North Bay Labor Council, we were
able to secure doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for SEIU 1021
members at two vaccine clinics in Sebastopol. As soon as we got
the word, we immediately jumped into action and started to text
members to let them know that we had slots available. It’s
important to me that our union lookout for the health and
well-being of our members at our jobs but in our
communities, too. I’m so glad we were able to help folks get
access to the vaccine,” said Mary
Sandberg, SEIU 1021 Vice President of the North Coast
region.
Debra Riedmuller, a Coordinator of Student Academic Records and
Admissions in Records at Santa Rosa Junior College and
Member Coordinator on the Classified Executive Council for the
Santa Rosa Junior College Chapter, was waiting to get
vaccinated when she received an email from her SEIU 1021 Field
Rep sharing information about a North Bay Labor Council
vaccination clinic at Analy High School in Sebastopol.
“I would have continued waiting for a vaccine because I
wouldn’t have
known,” said Riedmuller. “I
would not have known to go and get my vaccine if it weren’t for
SEIU 1021 sharing the information on the vaccine clinic that
weekend. I can’t say enough good things about our union. Everyone
works tirelessly to protect our jobs, our hours, and
our safety, including making sure we are not going back
to work until we have COVID policies and procedures in place. The
strength and resources we have when we’re united make all the
difference.”
The ongoing vaccination efforts of SEIU 1021 and the experience
of members like Debra speaks volumes to the power of members
working together to accomplish goals that align with the greater
good of our union members and our communities.