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Days leading up to their contract expiration, Berkeley workers held actions almost every day, often drawing hundreds of workers and their families to rallies. From solid waste workers, analysts, parking enforcement officers, clerical staff to librarians and public nurses, workers came out in full force and assembled picket signs in the city hall lobby. They brought together local elected leaders, members from IBEW, AFSCME 3299, Local 1, and IAFF 1277, and fellow SEIU 1021 members from other chapters to join them in a fight for a fair and equitable contract.

West Virginia teachers have shown that despite the failure of politicians to protect the rights of working people to organize, working people standing together are unstoppable. Striking teachers have shown that no court case or legislation can stop the power of solidarity and the willingness to stand up for justice.

West Virginia is among the handful of “right to work-for less” states, a fate that may soon be shared by California after the Supreme Court rules on Janus v AFSCME.

After several months of contract negotiations and high-visibility actions, Hayward workers have approved a new contract. The three-year agreement includes raises, in addition to other gains that would help workers continue to live and work in Hayward.

“By standing together, we let the City know that everyone who works for the City of Hayward deserves respect and a fair contract. We demanded it, and we got it,” said Clerical Chapter Acting President Felicia Sandoval.