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On September 12, over 250 hospital workers rallied to address chronic understaffing at Laguna Honda Hospital and the Adult Residential Facility (ARF) at San Francisco General Hospital’s campus. Holding signs that read “A Patient Care Solution is Safe Staffing Not Scapegoating,” workers criticized the SF Department of Public Health (DPH) for outsourcing jobs to save money.

On September 14, nearly 100 East Bay 1021 Chapter leaders spent the day strategizing, socializing, and building unity.

Laura Ocon, a member from La Clinica de la Raza, said “It’s so important to meet other people and get other perspectives on how we can become better together. The challenges we face are the same. Realizing that we aren’t alone is important. We have more in common than what people think.”

On Tuesday, September 10, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors unanimously voted for a 3.44% wage increase for Social Workers. While the 3.44% salary adjustment is a welcome win to the Contra Costa County social work classification, other classifications are still below the salary mean.

“We’re one of the lowest-paying counties in California,” said Chief Steward Ashley Payne, an Eligibility worker for Medi-cal. “Other counties have fewer cases and get paid more.”

On Thursday, September 5, SEIU 1021 San Joaquin County workers rallied as part of their fight for a contract that invests in county services and workers.  

During morning unity breaks at worksites throughout the County, SEIU 1021 members demonstrated for contract improvements that would improve services while boosting recruitment and retention. 

On August 26, SEIU 1021 President Joseph Bryant, Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg and community supporters stood with hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers caravanning to draw attention to their lack of worker protections.  The caravan stopped in front of Uber headquarters in San Francisco to a protest low wages and highlight their demand for a union. The caravan of gig workers started in Los Angeles on August 24 and was headed to Sacramento to lobby elected officials on AB 5 –the gig worker protection act– on August 27.

On August 13, Mendocino County members approved their agreement with the county that includes a 9% base wage increase over three years and additional equity wage adjustments for a majority of SEIU 1021 represented positions.  Public services have suffered as the County’s workforce investments have lagged behind comparable employers.  The deal was approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 20.