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On May 1, people across the globe took to the streets to celebrate International Workers Day and champion causes to support unions and working people. In Northern California and across the country, May Day celebrations called for the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which will empower workers to exercise our freedom to organize and negotiate for better wages and working conditions.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, SEIU 1021 members and member leaders have been leading the charge and advocating for standards and protections that frontline essential workers deserve as they keep our communities running. As a public-sector union, our members are some of the hardest-hit workers in the country; when announcements of vaccination availability began to come down the pipeline, members went to work monitoring and sharing information as far and wide as possible.

When COVID-19 hit the state of California, prompting a shelter-in-place order to go into effect last year, it led to numerous challenges for families and our communities, many of whom were laid off. As the state gradually gets back on its feet, a new piece of legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 93 will be implemented to help offset these challenges.

IT workers at San Joaquin County Hospital are celebrating their victory after winning a grievance that they filed against management for owed back pay and a unilateral change in working conditions.

Members initially brought their concerns to management but were shut down. After referencing their contract, it became clear that they’d need to collectively enforce the agreement using the grievance process.

On Tuesday, April 20, classified workers, teachers, parents, faith leaders, and community members hosted a virtual vigil to acknowledge and honor those who have lost their lives and their loved ones to COVID-19, including their fellow SCUSD workers.

On Wednesday, April 14, dozens of custodians at Oakland International Airport held an informational picket to call out chronic understaffing that is leaving crucial sanitation work undone and creating unsafe conditions. The custodians picketed and hung a banner over 880 to call attention to the issues they have been facing for more than a year.

Classified workers at Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) have been negotiating with Superintendent Aguilar and the District for months to reach a fair baseline health and safety agreement that will protect students, workers, and the entire school community. 

Days before workers were set to participate in an Unfair Labor Practice, however, a marathon mediation session produced a tentative agreement between the two sides just before midnight on Monday, April 19.