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California Gig Workers Union takes major step to represent gig rideshare drivers throughout the state
At a press conference today, Tuesday, May 12th, gig drivers from around the state announced that they filed a petition with the state requesting that the California Gig Workers Union (CGWU) represent them in collective bargaining negotiations with rideshare companies — a milestone in drivers’ effort to unionize under California’s newly enacted Assembly Bill 1340 (AB 1340). Over several months, drivers have collected tens of thousands of signatures from fellow gig workers seeking to form a union with CGWU.
Cal Academy members ramp up fight against layoffs with direct action, petition of no confidence in executive director
For the third time in five years, Cal Academy of Sciences Executive Director Scott Sampson has announced layoffs, this time affecting 37 SEIU 1021 Cal Academy Workers United (CAWU) members. The layoff list includes the entire planetarium team and the content developer team, which collaborated with several indigenous communities in California on the award-winning California: State of Nature exhibit.
96.5% voted YES to ratify new City of Lathrop contract
We did it! The City of Lathrop bargaining team was able to negotiate a contract that positively impacts EVERY member. 96.5% of members voted YES! Look below at some of the highlights in the new contract effective 7/1/2026.
They secured significant across-the-board wage increases:
- 4% COLA on 7/1/2026
- 4% COLA on 7/1/2027
Health Insurance:
Cafeteria Option for Employee Only and employees that opt out of the City H/I plan
Vacaville Unified Schools classified members refuse to stay silent, over 100 rally
On Thursday, May 7, over 130 classified SEIU 1021 members at the Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD), from paraprofessionals, to maintenance workers, custodians, transportation workers, clerks, and nutrition and IT workers, attended the VUSD school board meeting that evening to once more raise concerns about staffing shortages, workplace safety, and contract negotiations they say are affecting both employees and students.
Across Northern California, SEIU 1021 members rise up for May Day
From San Francisco to Sacramento, from Santa Rosa to Stockton, SEIU 1021 members decked out in their new purple May Day shirts took to the streets Friday, May 1, in solidarity with workers around the country and around the world.
Remembering the Armenian Genocide 111 years later
SEIU 1021 member Cynthia Landry recalls how her grandmother escaped the death marches
SEIU 1021 member and social worker for Alameda County Social Services, Cynthia Landry, always had “the fight” in her. She was raised by a strong-willed, progressive matriarch where she grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. Her East Coast accent, light-colored hair and eyes framed by darker brows make it hard to distinguish her roots, so Landry proudly shares that she is half Armenian.
SEIU 1021 members tell Alameda County: “It’s time to get serious!”
On Tuesday, April 28 hundreds of SEIU 1021 members joined together outside Alameda County’s main admin building in Oakland to call for a fair contract now.
SF museum guards protest outside de Young Museum’s gala
On April 16, 2026, San Francisco Museum Civil Service members held a protest outside the de Young Museum during the gala event. The protest was in response to management’s decision to reduce night staffing and implement schedule changes they claim will improve coverage—without providing any supporting data or analysis.
San Francisco SEIU 1021 members turn up the heat on the mayor to fight cuts, layoffs, and closures
800 union members turned out April 15, and 150+ to the Health Commission meeting on April 20
Since Mayor Lurie’s administration announced 127 layoffs, the closure of three beloved community clinics, and program cuts the first week of April, SEIU 1021 members have been taking a hard stand. Last Wednesday, April 15, about 800 union members gathered at San Francisco General Hospital at lunchtime and marched, taking over Potrero Avenue, to send a strong message to the mayor: No cuts, no layoffs, no closures.
(Still) fighting for a fair contract: tensions escalate between union members and disdainful DUSD Board president
At the Thursday, April 16, Dixon Unified School District board meeting, tensions between DUSD classified professionals and district leadership were on full display. SEIU 1021 members showed up to speak about ongoing contract negotiations, which began last May. They were met with dismissive and, at times, mocking responses from union-endorsed Board President Julian Cuevas, who seems to have forgotten his once-solid union values.
Join us for the Annual API Heritage Month celebration
Our moment to shine. Together we’re golden!
Unionware ID: 35806. ***PLEASE RSVP BELOW***
Come celebrate AAPI Heritage Month! We’re done hiding. We’re shining–like we’re born to be! We’ve come so far and now we’re going up, up, up. This is our moment.
50 Uber & Lyft drivers gather at SEIU 1021 San Francisco office to learn how to build their labor unions
On Monday, April 13, 50 Uber and Lyft drivers from llinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and California gathered at SEIU 1021’s San Francisco office for a training on how to build a labor union of gig drivers.
SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford opened the convening with a clear message: “You’re all here because, just like SEIU 1021 members at cities and counties, you know you deserve a union. You deserve a living wage. You deserve benefits. You deserve representation and dignity.”
SF city workers denounce Layoffs, call for “fair solutions that stand up to Trump”
Monday, April 6, Mayor Lurie’s administration issued layoff notices to San Francisco city workers, including 62 SEIU 1021 members across 12 departments.
And it’s not over: The mayor has announced that he is still committed to eliminating a total of 500 positions across the City, with a second phase of layoffs reportedly to come around the time he releases his proposed budget at the end of May or early June. City workers are deeply concerned that these cuts will further strain already understaffed departments that keep San Francisco clean, safe, and livable.
SEIU 1021 members speak up for jobs and peace
SEIU 1021 members are speaking up to make a difference from Oakland to overseas, and everyone is invited to come play their part.
On Saturday, April 11, we’ll kick off our campaign to support Measure E in Oakland. This grassroots measure, the Oakland Public Safety, Cleanliness and Community Accountability Act, is designed to keep fire stations open, connect homeless people to the services they need, and fund solutions to illegal dumping.
Over 200 SEIU 1021 member leaders gather for third Fightback convening
They strategized on building member power for May Day and beyond
Thursday, March 26, nearly 250 member leaders of SEIU 1021—including executive board members, chapter officers, convention delegates, and other rank and file members who have stepped up in organizing and mobilizing—gathered in Vacaville for the third Fightback convening.
Newly named Farmworkers Day continues to celebrate labor achievements
Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly signed into a law proclaiming Tuesday, March 31, Farmworkers Day. The move came following allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of women dedicated to the farmworkers’ rights movement by one of its most prominent and celebrated leaders: César Chávez.
Gig rideshare drivers and community allies rally for stronger California regulations on autonomous vehicles
State Senator Cortese unveils legislation ensuring safe operations of robotaxis
Wednesday, March 25, members of the California Gig Workers Union, SEIU 1021, and the community rallied outside the nation’s largest robotaxi depot in the country at 201 Toland Street, San Francisco, to announce SB 1246, legislation to regulate autonomous vehicles.
As autonomous vehicles (AVs), or robotaxis, increasingly hit California roads and more companies prepare to launch services, gig drivers and community allies are calling for statewide legislation to close critical regulatory gaps.
SFDPH workers deliver 1500 petition signatures to Director Daniel Tsai: No layoffs, protect care!
Monday, March 23, about 20 members of SEIU 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 gathered at the San Francisco Department of Public Health to present a petition signed by 1500 members to SFDPH Director Daniel Tsai calling on him and the Health Commission to propose a budget with no layoffs that would protect care.
Solano County workers ratify new contract
SEIU 1021 members win gains to support workforce stability, public services, and community needs
After months of negotiations and collective action, SEIU Local 1021 Solano County workers have ratified a new contract, marking an important step toward stabilizing the workforce and protecting the services our communities rely on.
Solano County workers stood together across unions in the Solano for All coalition to demand better from the county’s elected leaders and management. Earlier this year, the coalition executed a two-day coalition strike, pushing the County to move off low initial proposals and bargain in good faith.
Highlights of the new contract include:
California Gig Workers Union files complaint against Waymo for allegedly violating California permit by transporting unaccompanied minors
Complaint calls for CPUC to investigate Waymo’s practices and suspend Waymo’s operating license in California
Tuesday, March 17, the California Gig Workers Union and its affiliates filed a formal complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) alleging that Waymo has been knowingly violating the conditions of its state permit by transporting unaccompanied minors through its autonomous ride-hailing service in California, which raises serious public safety and regulatory compliance concerns.