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Cal Academy of Sciences members ratify first union contract with important improvements
The new contract includes the right to strike to defend democracy and public services along with critical gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions.
After three years of organizing and nearly two years since they voted by a landslide to form their union, Cal Academy Workers United, as a chapter of SEIU 1021, staff at the California Academy of Sciences have ratified their first union contract with an overwhelming 87% yes vote. The new three-year contract makes crucial improvements to wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Fairfield workers stand united for a fair contract
City of Fairfield workers showed up strong on May 15 and again on May 21 for lunchtime tabling actions outside City Hall, demanding a fair contract.
Despite months of bargaining, the City continues to push harmful concessions—including 0% wage increases for two years, quadrupled health premiums, cuts to sick and personal leave, and the elimination of a paid holiday. While they’ve dropped one proposal, the rest remain unchanged.
1021 members rally to say “HANDS OFF MEDICAID”
Last Tuesday, May 13, SEIU 1021 members at two hospitals took part in a nationwide day of action to tell Republicans in Congress that we won’t accept $880 million in cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) so the richest one percent can get big tax cuts. Last month, eight of the nine Republican Congressmembers from California voted for this cruel bill, and SEIU members across California spoke up in opposition.
Labor coalition including SEIU 1021 wins temporary block on Trump’s executive order reorganizing federal government
A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary restraining order on unconstitutional attempt to fire federal workers en masse and shutter agencies
Last Friday, May 9, a coalition of labor groups — including SEIU 1021 — as well as cities and counties and other organizations that rely on federal services scored a huge victory against President Trump’s executive order illegally reorganizing the federal government. In a courtroom in the San Francisco Federal Building, Senior District Judge Susan Illston heard the case against the president’s February executive order that would fire tens of thousands of federal workers and shut down entire federal agencies.
SEIU 1021 steps up in a coalition to bring union jobs to the new green economy
As part of the California Labor for Climate Jobs coalition, SEIU 1021 is on the front lines of linking workers’ rights and care for our environment, and with our political allies, we’re working to achieve big goals.
The coalition’s policy agenda includes:
SEIU 1021 celebrates AAPI Heritage Month by honoring the mothers of our movement
Dozens of SEIU 1021 members, families, and community members gathered on Saturday for a joyful celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month at Snow Park in Oakland. The event honored both the cultural contributions of AAPI communities and the matriarchs who have shaped families, movements, and leadership across generations.
SEIU 1021 North Coast Regional VP rebukes wasteful spending on proposed Sonoma building purchases
SEIU 1021 North Coast Regional Vice President Travis Balzarini released the following statement regarding the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ decision to move forward with the proposed purchase of buildings at 3850 and 3880 Brickway Boulevard, Santa Rosa:
Workers unite across Northern California for May Day
Thousands of SEIU 1021 members rallied across Northern California last Thursday in honor of International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day. In San Francisco, supporters gathered in front of City Hall to listen to labor leaders speak on the importance of continuing to fight, especially as federal leaders with the new administration call for cuts to the critical public services residents depend on and SEIU members provide.
Sonoma County Office of Education employees fight back against layoff notices
Thursday, May 1, on International Workers’ Day, SEIU 1021 members at the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) teamed up with the local teachers’ union to push back against layoffs. Together, they marched and confronted the SCOE Board during the SCOE Board meeting.
Napa Valley College members harness the power of collective action at Strike School
Knowledge is power. On Wednesday, April 30, that became even more apparent as SEIU 1021 members at Napa Valley College held two strike school sessions to prepare and learn about different tools they can use to organize as bargaining with NVC management drags on.
Hundreds rally in San Francisco as SEIU 1021, allies demand Airbnb drop harmful lawsuit
Last week, 600 union members and allies came together to demand that multi-billion-dollar corporations like Airbnb drop their frivolous lawsuits against the city of San Francisco.
SEIU 1021 and its allies are demanding that SF Mayor Daniel Lurie pressure Airbnb and other companies pursuing business tax refunds to withdraw their claims, allowing the city to redirect part of the $311 million reserved for business tax litigation. This would bring back hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to the embattled San Francisco budget.
“This is the people’s city!”
Oakland MUST elect Barbara Lee TODAY!
Oakland’s special election is today, April 15. The future of city services, the city workers who provide those services, and the residents who depend on those services depend on us electing Barbara Lee as the Town’s next mayor.
If you’re an Oakland resident and you haven’t voted yet, make sure you vote for Barbara Lee today! Find a local polling place or ballot dropbox here.
May 10: Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with SEIU 1021
Honoring the “mothers of our movement”
This Mother’s Day weekend, SEIU 1021 invites members, families, and community allies to come together for a powerful celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in recognition of the “mothers of our movement.”
On Saturday, May 10, join us at Snow Park in Oakland for a family-friendly gathering honoring the women, mothers, and matriarchs who have shaped our communities, our cultures, and our movement for justice.
Hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers rally at state capitol to unveil legislation opening the door for drivers to choose a union
Tuesday, April 8, California rideshare drivers’ decade-long fight to improve their working conditions and shape their industry reached a huge milestone. Hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers rallied at the state capitol to announce the introduction of legislation that opens the door for gig drivers to join a union.
Cal Academy’s 172nd birthday crashed by its workers, making art with a message
Nearly 2 years after they formed a union, Academy workers are frustrated by management’s stalling tactics — and made sure management as well as visitors coming to Academy Day “heard them roar.”
The California Academy of Sciences celebrated its 172nd birthday on April 4 (“Academy Day”) with a wide array of special programming and activities. Yet in front of the museum, members of the Cal Academy Workers United (CAWU) chapter of SEIU 1021 expressed their frustration and disappointment with their senior leadership team’s refusal to settle a fair first contract. And they shared those feelings not just through bullhorns, but also with guerilla street art.
SEIU 1021 members join thousands at “Hands Off” rallies across Northern California
SEIU 1021 members joined thousands of protesters at “Hands Off” rallies this past Saturday, voicing their opposition to policies that threaten workers’ rights, healthcare, and education.
They were part of a nationwide day of action that brought together hundreds of thousands at some 1300 rallies from coast to coast, including in San Francisco, Oakland and other East Bay cities, Sacramento, Stockton, Santa Rosa, and numerous other localities across Northern California.
Clinic worker joins lobby day in D.C. to help save Medicaid
Across the state, Americans are doing what they can to advocate for saving Medicaid. March 25 and 26, clinic workers like Flavia Tearney-Berthon flew to Washington, D.C., to lobby members of Congress for the cause for two days.
SEIU 1021 members join spirited protest at Airbnb HQ
On Thursday, March 27, SEIU 1021 members joined a broad coalition of organizations representing working and poor Californians in a lively protest outside Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco. Waving giant puppets and smashing an enormous cardboard Tesla Cybertruck, public sector union members, federal workers, nurses, immigrant families, and disability rights activists condemned Trump and Musk’s moves to slash essential services, gut Medicaid, and lay off hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
Hundreds join the César Chávez March in Sacramento
Hundreds of people gathered at the Southside Park in Sacramento for the 23rd annual César Chávez March on Saturday, March 29. Clouds of palo santo and the sound of horns made of conches filled the air as a group of Native American dancers opened the day’s events with a blessing in the form of a song and dance. Their backdrop was a colorful Chicano art mural painted in 1977 by artist Juan Cervantes.
Help elect Barbara Lee as Oakland’s next mayor!
It is no exaggeration to say that Oakland’s special election on April 15 will shape the city’s politics for the next ten years. That’s why SEIU 1021 members have been hitting the streets and knocking on doors to support Barbara Lee for mayor: Her proven leadership and ability to unite Oaklanders behind a positive vision for the Town stand in stark contrast to one-term City Councilmember Loren Taylor’s stated plan to “secure meaningful concessions” from Oakland workers.