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The Movement to Safely Re-Open Schools Progresses Forward with Vaccination Rollouts and Tentative Reopening Agreements
As the debate around returning to in-person learning in schools rages on, SEIU 1021 members and chapter leaders have been on the ground working with educators and communities in San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento to ensure our members and their families are protected.
The work we helped lead with the Unions of SFUSD led to a tentative agreement with the school district for baseline health and safety standards for students, educators, and families around sanitizing, PPE, testing, ventilation, and the current hot button topic — vaccinations.
San Francisco Newsletter: February 2021
Welcome to the February issue of our new recurring monthly newsletter for SEIU 1021 members in San Francisco. You can read our January issue here, or keep reading below to see recaps of the big fights our members have taken on in the last month.
You’ll also find updates on ongoing campaigns around the city and stories celebrating some of our union’s most recent victories.
After a Virtual Press Conference, Unions of SFUSD Reach a Tentative Agreement on Safety Protocols and Vaccines to Re-Open SF Schools
On Friday, February 5, the Unions of SFUSD, which includes SEIU 1021, United Educators of SF, UASF, and IFPTE Local 21, held a virtual press conference on school re-openings. Workers proposed a pathway for the health and safety protocols that are necessary for a safe return to in-person learning for students, teachers, workers, and SF communities.
VICTORY: SF P103 Per Diem Nurses Win COVID-19 Leave
Nurses are the frontline of defense for our community’s health and have worked tirelessly around the clock to keep our city’s residents safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. When the city rolled out its COVID leave bank last March, however, P103 nurses were not given access to that emergency leave. This was unacceptable, so our union jumped into action.
Video Killed the Radio Star, but Automation May Kill Public Radio Station 91.7 KALW
On Tuesday, January 26, 91.7 KALW staff joined radio hosts and unionized musicians from across the country to speak out at the SFUSD school board meeting against staff cuts and automation at the local station in an attempt to save public radio at KALW. Over the last year, local radio station 91.7 KALW has been making not-so-subtle changes to their live broadcast programming and announcing staffing.
San Francisco Newsletter: January 2021
Welcome to the first issue of our new recurring monthly newsletter for SEIU 1021 members in San Francisco. Keep reading to see recaps of the big fights our members have taken on in the last month, as well as updates on ongoing campaigns around the city and stories celebrating some of our union’s most recent victories.
Making a Difference: Mendocino Members Speak Up and Prevent COVID-19 Vaccines from Going to Waste
When a freezer that was used to store the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Northern California hospital broke down in early January, hospital officials realized they only had about two hours to administer the more than 800 doses that were stored inside. Our Mendocino County members immediately jumped into action, assisting in the rapid deployment of vaccines to their community. In just two hours, workers were able to get 200 badly needed doses administered.
Think Big. Act
Bold.
4,709 work locations covered by SEIU 1021 contracts
60,000 workers represented by SEIU 1021 in Northern California
9,708 job classifications filled by SEIU 1021 members
Spotlight
Is Union Power Coming Back to the National Labor Relations Board?
As workers in the public sector, we have to pay attention to politics. In elections, we have the opportunity to vote for our bosses, choosing the politicians who shape our working lives and fund the jobs we do.
Less than half an hour into Joe Biden’s term as president, he demanded that General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Peter Robb resign. When Robb did not resign, Biden fired him, and followed it up the next day by letting go Alice Stock, who had been the Deputy General Counsel.
FAST Recovery Act: A New Bill To Supersize California Fast Food Workers’ Power to Fight for Safe Workplaces
On January 15, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez introduced the FAST Recovery Act, or AB 257, with support of SEIU California and thousands of fast food workers organizing with the Fight for $15. FAST in the title stands for Fast-food Accountability and STandards—and that is exactly what the bill aims to accomplish.
“We want COVID leave and better protection. We want to be respected as people.”
On Dr. King's Birthday, Fast Food Workers Went on Strike for Safe Working Conditions, a Federal $15 Minimum Wage, and a Union
January 15, 2021 – On the birthday of beloved Civil Rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fast-food workers in Oakland and Sacramento California banned together with fast-food workers in 15 cities across the country to strike for safe working conditions, fight for a $15 federal minimum wage, and a union.
Fighting for Workers’ Rights in a New Political Era
On January 6, 2021, as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and news feeds began to flood with reports of unruly crowds and violence erupting at the nation’s Capitol, our President Joseph Bryant promptly shared a bold public statement written in real-time. Here is an excerpt of his powerful statement:
“We are witnessing an assault on our people, an assault on democracy, and an assault on our country. The racist, divisive lies fomented by President Trump have turned into a full-on coup attempt. This is not who we are.”
We Honor the Memory of Theresa Breakfield
With a heavy heart, we share the news that Theresa Breakfield, a longtime SEIU 1021 union member, community leader, and political activist passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Theresa Breakfield was a committed member of our union who served first as a member of the SEIU 1021 Executive Board Budget and Finance Committee, representing Region E (Amador, Calaveras and San Joaquin Counties). She later served as the San Joaquin County Area Representative on the SEIU 1021 Executive Board until she retired in April of 2017.
2020 was a difficult year, but SEIU 1021 members fought back—and we won
It’s no secret that 2020 was a challenging year for all of us. It was a year that often felt like it lasted a decade, making it easy to lose sight of the many obstacles we faced and overcame over the last 12 months. When it was all said and done, SEIU 1021 members had lots to be proud of.
44 Years Strong – We Salute Henrietta Lee for Her Service and Dedication
44 years ago, Henrietta Lee started her journey working for the city of San Francisco as a Senior Clerk Typist at Youth Guidance Center and she has never looked back. Wearing many hats and serving thousands of community members over the years, Henrietta has carved a special place in the hearts of her colleagues and the youth she impacted.
