The Live Wire: SEIU 1021 Political Action Central

Obama takes stand for working people with recess appointments

President Barack Obama stood up to the US Senate this week by making four "recess appointments" that Republican leaders have blocked for months with a legislative maneuver to keep the Senate technically "in session" even when no senators are actually there.

The appointments are important because all of them are leaders of agencies charged with defending the rights of consumers and working people. Obama named three members to the National Labor Relations Board, giving it a quorum and the ability to conduct business again after one member's retirement reduced the board to two members. He also named Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created in response to the economic crisis to shield the 99 percent from further abuse by Wall Street.

Live from the State Capitol, Part 2: Public pensions in the news

CalPensions: "Pension initiatives: could costs go up not down?"

"An official analysis of two public pension reform initiatives last week raised an issue quickly seized by opponents -- a potential cost increase of $1 billion or more a year for state and local governments during the next two or three decades. ...

The analysis by the Legislative Analyst's Office "makes the point that switching new hires to cheaper retirement plans can drive up costs, mainly by cutting the cash flow used to help pay pensions under the old plan."

Sac Bee: "The State Worker's Top 10 of 2011: No. 6 -- Niello's pension plan"

Sac Bee: "The State Worker's Top 10 of 2011: No. 5 -- GOP pension plan"

SEIU 1021-supported measures and candidates fare well in Nov. 8 elections

In a very tight election for the Fairfield City Council, the candidate endorsed by SEIU 1021 — Pam Bertani — not only beat incumbent Chuck Timm by 125 votes but unseated appointed council member Rick Vacarro. As the polls opened on election day, Bertani actually trailed Timm in absentee votes, but by mid-morning our get-out-the-vote efforts helped give her the lead, which she kept throughout the day.

Bertani’s election was just the start. Most of the candidates and ballot measures supported by SEIU 1021 prevailed on Tuesday.

November 2 - Join Oakland’s "Peaceful Day of Action"

Official Statement & Call to Action

Call to Action

The SEIU 1021 Executive Board calls on all members of SEIU 1021 to join a day-long “Peaceful Day of Action” in support of Occupy Oakland and against the banking industry and last week’s police brutality against the Occupy Oakland encampment.

To avoid misinterpretation: Occupy Oakland has called for a “general strike,” but SEIU 1021 is not asking any members to “go on strike” — that would be a violation of many SEIU 1021 contracts. Instead, we encourage members to use legitimate time off to stand in support of Occupy Oakland and join the day’s events at the “Peaceful Day of Action.”

City of Oakland Workers: The City has agreed that workers may use a day of comp time, vacation time, a floating holiday or leave without pay in order to participate.

Other SEIU 1021 Members: We encourage all members to work with their employers constructively to find a way to take the day off in order to participate.

The “Peaceful Day of Action” takes place at Frank Ogawa Plaza (in front of City Hall), 14th & Broadway, Oakland
9 am — Events begin
12 noon — SEIU March Against Foreclosures
4 pm — Public Sector Worker Action

For more information, download a flyer under “Current Downloads” to the right of this article.
 

SEIU 1021 retired paramedic Jon Meade and SEIU 1021 Community RN Martha Hawthorne join the occupation.

‘We are the 99%’

Chanting “We are the 99%” and calling for democracy and economic justice, Occupy Wall Street West targeted foreclosure champion Wells Fargo bank in its Oct. 12 action. It was the second big demonstration in San Francisco in two weeks, and came as the movement is gaining momentum and spontaneously combusting coast to coast, throughout the heartland and in the reddest of states.

Gathering near the foot of Market Street at the Federal Reserve Building, more than 500 “occupiers” marched noisily through the financial district. The San Francisco action reflected the recent trend in New York and around the country—the presence of union members, their colors and banners ablaze in the dim early morning light, swelling the ranks of the young, bold occupiers. SEIU 1021 members, teachers, janitors, longshoremen, telecommunications and electrical workers, and many more were welcomed as natural allies.

Click here to view photos of the action

State Senator Leland Yee (right) at his Sept. 28 press conference urging Gov. Brown to sign his new online voter registration bill.

Yee’s online voter reg bill to increase democracy

While Republican-controlled states across the country are passing new laws to make voting less accessible to people of color, seniors and students, State Senator and SEIU 1021-endorsed Mayoral candidate Leland Yee has authored a bill establishing easy, secure and efficient online voter registration.

“In the 21^st century, especially here in California, it is long overdue to have online voter registration,” Yee said in a press release. “SB 397 (his legislation) will not only help protect the integrity of the vote, but will allow many more individuals the opportunity to register and participate in our democracy.”

SEIU 1021 member Cynthia Landry (Alameda Co.) reports back on "following the money" at our Fight for a Fair Economy training in Oakland.

SEIU 1021 launches local-wide “Fight for a Fair Economy” campaign

For years, the city of Stockton has had one of the highest foreclosure and unemployment rates in the nation. In June 2011 alone, one in 210 housing units received a foreclosure filing. With unemployment expected to stay flat in most of the nation this year, in Stockton it’s expected to rise from 17.2 to 18.1 percent. Six months ago, California took eight of the top 20 spots on Forbes’ annual America’s Most Miserable Cities list, “with Stockton ranking first for the second time in three years.”

If anything, last week’s debt ceiling deal has only made matters worse for Stockton and all of California. In an odd way, the bad deal has actually united the nation: Both Wall Street and Main Street agree it sucks. Congress and the White House let everyone down for (fill in your petty, partisan, ideological and/or pathological reason of choice).

As usual, SEIU 1021 members aren’t taking things lying down. Let the “fight for a fair economy” begin ...
 

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Must-Watch Video: "The Story of Citizens United v. FEC (2011)"

Freedom From Speech: A petition you *don't* want to sign

There is a deceptive ballot measure in paid circulation right now that would effectively eliminate the voice of working people in the halls of government.

Its backers? Billionaires and corporations who want to silence the voices of librarians, nurses, bus drivers, social workers, and other people like us. This initiative isn't about "getting special interests out of politics." It's about gaming the system so that CEOs, Wall Street bankers, tobacco companies, oil companies, and drug companies can control our state without any opposition.

[Download a flier in the Current Downloads box to the right.]

Plutocracy And The Debt Ceiling Debate

Posted on 26 July 2011