SEIU 1021

2026 San Joaquin County bargaining team nominees

Article

It’s time to select from the nominees below to help form the 2026 San Joaquin County bargaining team. Be on the look out for emails and texts for online voting instructions. Voting begins on Wednesday, Oct. 15 and ends on Oct. 19. 2025. Please see candidate statements that have been made available below.

San Joaquin General Hospital (Vote for 2) 

  • Christina Nguyen
  • Lisa Bromstead 
  • Sunita Reddy 
    •  I am honored to have been nominated to serve as a member of our union’s bargaining team. I deeply appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me by my fellow team members.

      I take this responsibility seriously as this is a critical moment for all of us. I am committed to represent the voices, needs and concerns of our members at the bargaining table. My goal is to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, job security and the respect we all deserve in the workplace.

      I look forward to work  collaboratively with team and keeping our union members informed, engaged and empowered throughout the bargaining process.

      In Solidarity,

      Sunita Reddy.

      Sterile Processing Department

      SJGH

  • Crystal Curiel
  • Eva Esqueda 
  • Kari Turner

Public Works (Vote for 2) 

  • Anna Villalpando Marquez
  • Joseph Curtis
  • Louis Azevedo 
  • Ruben Brown 
    • My name is Ruben Brown; I am currently working as a transfer driver at Public Works. I was Nominated to help workers have a voice at the table. I am committed to fighting for livable wage increases to keep up with inflation. I have been working for the county since February 2020, and I am currently a steward and understand the importance of being a member. To secure a fair contract, we must put in work something I have been doing as our steward and want to continue to do at the bargaining table.  It would be a privilege to represent SEIU membership during upcoming negotiations, VOTE FOR Ruben Brown.

      Thank you,

      Ruben Brown

    • Public Works Transfer Driver 

    • Bargaining unit: Trades, Labor & Institutional (TLI)

  • Shaun Freeman  
  • Tim Lowe
    • Public Works -Trades, Labor & Institutional (TLI)

      MY EXPERIENCE:

      Union member since 2008 – building unity and signing up new employees

      Chapter Board Delegate – making decisions for members’ benefit

      Bargaining/CAT Team Member – negotiated SJC County contracts, attended trainings

      Shop Steward – trained and actively representing members at worksites

      I’m Tim Lowe from Public Works, Road Maintenance. Nominated by peers to fight for better wages and working conditions, I’m committed to securing a fair contract for all.

      I would be honored to have your vote!

      Respectfully,
      Tim Lowe

Human Services Agency (vote for 2) 

  • Dawn  Sanchez 
    • Hello, my name is Dawn Sanchez and I have been working for San Joaquin County at the Human Services Agency for close to 14 years now. I have served on two bargaining teams previously in 2016 and 2020  as both an Eligibility Worker and Social Worker. In my current role as a Social Worker Supervisor I see the challenges that all workers face in both capacities. Each employee of San Joaquin County plays an important role in providing vital services to our community and I  would be honored to represent each and every one of you at the bargaining table.  

      Thank you for considering me,

      Dawn Sanchez

  • Kristen Moe
  • Rachelle Wilson 
  • Ruben Montes

BHS (vote for 2)

  • Adriana Martinez
  • Joe Grijalva 
  • Mark Hansen 

Sheriff (vote for 1) 

  • Amanda McGuire 
    • My name is Amanda McGuire and I work as a Communications Dispatcher III at the Sheriff’s Office. I have been an employee of San Joaquin County since July 2012 and previously  worked at San Joaquin General (2012-2015) and HSA (2015-2017). I have been involved in the union since the start of my employment having served as a Strike Captain in 2016, a bargaining member for the 2022 contract and have been involved in Labor Management Committee meetings. I have completed my Steward training and am waiting for my petition to be approved. 

      Having previously been on the bargaining  has given me insight into contract negotiations.  If I am elected I encourage you to contact me before

      bargaining begins to ensure your concerns have the best chance of being addressed when negotiations begin. I promise to keep open lines of communication with those that I am elected to represent.  

      Thank you!

  • Michael Amodo 
  • Rosemarie Martinez
    • I’ve been a proud SEIU member for over 10 years, and I would be honored to represent members as a voice in negotiations. I am committed to making sure our voices are heard and to fight for fairness, respect, and positive change for all of us.

Public Health (vote for 1)

  • Dunyette Seymore 
  • Rachelle Lopez
    • Hello, 

      My mother grew up in Delano, California, where she often shared stories about my grandfather’s struggles as a Filipino farmworker during the 1960s. Like many Filipino laborers of that era, he endured harsh working conditions, poor living quarters, and unfair pay. My mother had just graduated from high school at the time, while many of her friends were being sent off to fight in the war. The country was in turmoil, protests, uncertainty, and change filled the air. Unable to serve in the war herself, and as a strong believer in the union, my mother dedicated her energy to supporting her community, finding strength and purpose amid the challenges that surrounded her. 

      For me, these aren’t just old family tales. They’re the very bedrock of what SEIU 1021 stands for. We’re not just an organization; we’re living, breathing extension of that same fight for justice that my grandfather and mom championed. Every time we negotiate for better conditions, every rally we attend, every bit of support we give to our members, it’s all part of carrying on that fight. It’s about ensuring fairness and respect for *everyone* who works hard, just like they wanted. Both of their dedication to make a difference have been instilled in me at a young age and shaped how I see the world. 

      Honestly, I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of SEIU 1021. Our collective strength isn’t just some nice idea; it’s the real engine that makes things happen. It’s how we create genuine, positive changes and build a fairer, more equitable future for every one of us.

      Rachelle Lopez / Senior Office Assistant 
      Public Health Services / California Medical Services 
      SEIU 1021 Member Since 2019 

  • Sidhartha Hazari 

DCSS (vote for 1)

  • Czerina Topping 
  • Mary Lopez 

DA (vote for 1)

  • Carla Waluck  
    • I am honored to be nominated to serve on the bargaining team for our upcoming union contract renewal. I am committed to representing the interests of our members with fairness, transparency, and dedication. My goal is to ensure that our voices are heard, our rights are protected, and that we achieve a contract that reflects the hard work and value of every member. I bring experience advocating for colleagues and a strong commitment to teamwork and communication as well as a focus on solutions that benefit our entire workforce. I would be proud to serve on the bargaining team and work tirelessly on behalf of our members.

      “I wake each morning torn between the desire to improve the world and the desire to enjoy it. It makes it hard to plan the day.” E.B. White

      Carla Waluck

  • Domingo Rivera 
  • Michelle Vargas
  • Tina Cook  
    • My name is Tina Cook, and I am excited for the opportunity to represent the District Attorney’s Office at the bargaining table this year. I believe in standing strong for everyone and working together to move us forward during these challenging economic times. 

      I began my SEIU membership in 2001, and after more than 20 years, I am still proud to be part of this incredible team. I was part of the group that successfully reclassified an entire county, as well as a member of the negotiation team for a new contract. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the challenges we face, especially the ongoing issue of wage stagnation in our county. 

      If chosen to represent the District Attorney’s Office, I will fight hard for fair and competitive wages, ensuring they reflect the value of our work. As a Legal Administrative Supervisor, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles in recruitment and retention, including the difficulty of hiring qualified candidates at starting wages that fall below what many service workers earn today. 

      I am committed to advocating for meaningful change, because we all deserve to be recognized, respected, and fairly compensated for the vital work we do every day. 

Seated by acclamation: 

  • Bobby Smith – Veterans
  • George Lugo – Ag Commissioner 
  • Lowell Barber – Office of Emergency Services 
  • John Alaniz Jr. –  Environmental Health 
  • Johana Pastor Castro – EEDD
  • Trevis Stricklen – Probation
  • Vincent Villa – Admin 
  • Joe Hernandez – Admin