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California College of the Arts students walk out in protest of staff layoffs
The CCA Student Union organized the walkout and blackout in support of the CCA Staff Union
A year ago, staff at California College of the Arts (CCA) went on a four-day strike in protest of the administration’s illegal labor practices, pushing for a first contract that took over two years (and that strike) to secure. Last month, CCA administration announced their intention to lay off 8-10% of frontline staff in response to lower than expected enrollment – even as they continue to pay their president, Stephen Beal, over $580,000 – more than any other private university president in the Bay Area with the exception of Stanford.
Alameda County members win a new contract after long fight
On Wednesday, April 26, Alameda County workers made it official and voted to ratify their new contract, with 95% YES votes. This followed a lengthy bargaining campaign that started in July of 2022 with the election of a bargaining team and featured near-constant countywide actions, from rallies and marches and unity breaks to petitions, packing the Board of Supervisors meetings to make public comment, and spreading their message with billboards and bus ads.
Gig workers of the world, unite: San Francisco sees international movement of gig workers fight for a labor rights
Hailing from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, the Philippines, Spain, the U.S., Sweden, and Taiwan, gig workers allied to support the California Gig Workers Union’s appeal to the California Supreme Court to rule Proposition 22 unconstitutional. It was the culmination of a week full of events surrounding the first convening of the International Congress of Gig Workers.
Felton Institute faces harsh criticism for union busting, anti-worker activity
San Francisco Board of Supervisors sides with union and workers
The Board of Supervisors hearing at San Francisco City Hall last Tuesday, April 25, was a testament to union power. In an unorthodox move, the entire board listened to reports of San Francisco nonprofit Felton Institute’s union busting and anti-worker activity. It was clear from the outset that the board was unhappy with Felton. The worker testimonials, supported by indisputable evidence that SEIU provided, were reinforced by every board member on the dais chiming in with their support for the workers and their dismay at Felton’s brazen, unethical actions.
Faculty, students, alumni, and elected officials join forces to Reclaim Holy Names
At a town hall last Thursday, they spoke out about HNU's importance -- and why the campus must be preserved as an educational institution
When Holy Names University administration announced the school would be closing after the spring 2023 semester, after years of mismanagement and lax oversight by its board of trustees, the fates and futures of hundreds of low-income students of color, faculty, and staff were put on the chopping block.
Sacramento City Unified Schools bus drivers win huge raises
The precedent-setting agreement will lift school bus drivers out of poverty while addressing the staffing crisis
Last spring, Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) classified staff and educators went on strike together for 12 days as district administration refused to take urgent action to address its severe staffing crisis.
Sonoma County members ratify new contract with big gains
Members considered "extra-help," those whose classifications are below market, and those who are bilingual will see extra benefits
Friday, April 21, the votes were counted: Sonoma County members of SEIU 1021 voted by 92% to ratify their hard-won tentative agreement that nets hefty increases across the board for county workers, with some extra benefits for those who need it the most.
Starbucks workers win 300th store union victory
What began as a single election at the Elmwood Avenue Starbucks store in Buffalo, New York, in late 2021, has now grown to three hundred.
Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of SEIU, won its most recent victory at the store at 7th and K streets in downtown Sacramento. The result of unionizing came after an eleven-to-two vote.
“I am overjoyed that despite Starbucks using every dirty trick to deter us, we were able to become true partners in the company,” said Maizie Jensen, a barista at the Sacramento store.
Port of Oakland workers prepare for a strike and get big wins
After years of negotiating and organizing to fight off takeaways, Port of Oakland workers have a new contract! Late in the night of Tuesday, April 4, Port workers and management signed a tentative agreement, which port workers then overwhelmingly voted to accept.
SEIU 1021 civil service members raise awareness of workplace health and safety concerns at the de Young Museum
Last Saturday, April 15, SEIU Local 1021 civil service members at the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, came out to raise awareness about the health and safety of both museum workers and patrons alike. Among the significant concerns are the safety and health of security staff, the front-facing workers responsible for securing a safe space for all in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Union busters busted?
Save Mart is in the hot seat as jilted retirees fight back
Save Mart retirees are showing how worker power can make inroads against even the biggest bullies. A group of four retired Save Mart workers has joined together to fight back against the company that persuaded them to accept extra health benefits in exchange for not joining the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
Clinic workers win senate support for $25 healthcare minimum wage and stronger community clinics
Last Wednesday, April 12, clinic workers from across California joined other healthcare workers united in SEIU and went to the state capitol in Sacramento to urge state senators to support for SB 525 (Durazo) and SB 779 (Stern). Appearing before the California Senate’s labor and health committees, more than 300 workers came to share their support for the bills.
Nonprofit and home care workers call on SF to “Drive to $25” by revising the minimum compensation ordinance
Raising the minimum wage for city-funded workers is needed to fully staff frontline care positions to address city’s most difficult problems
On April 11, 2023, a coalition of in-home supportive services (IHSS) workers with SEIU 2015 and frontline nonprofit workers with SEIU 1021 joined together to gather on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to call on the City and County of San Francisco to raise the wages paid to workers responsible for combatting homelessness, addiction and caring for seniors and people with disabilities in San Francisco.
The workers say that poverty wages and worker burnout have caused a short-staffing crisis that is hampering San Francisco’s response to its most challenging problems.
Show up for environmental justice!
Participate in the 3rd annual SEIU Climate Jobs & Justice Summit this Saturday, April 15!
Environmental justice — making sure everyone, including generations yet to come, has access to clean air, pure water, and the other natural resources we all need to live, thrive, and raise our families — is a core commitment of SEIU 1021. At our 2021 convention, delegates voted by 94% to adopt environmental justice and climate action as a plank of the work we do.
Why are California clinic workers talking about SB 525?
The bill would create a $25 minimum wage for all healthcare workers
One out of every six Californians receives care at a community clinic in our state. Community clinics often also provide dental, mental health, and other essential care, and they provide culturally-specific care to the diverse communities of our state. Clinics are a critical part of our healthcare safety net and without them, millions of Californians would have no access to basic and critical care.
San Lorenzo USD classified workers win big with new contract
Members gain wage raises, increased longevity pay, and new holiday
With a strong turnout and 90% of members who voted voting yes to ratify the proposed contract, San Lorenzo Unified classified workers won a huge victory at their March 27 meeting!
Thanks to the bargaining team’s efforts and the membership showing up when called upon, this new contract gives members a 15% pay raise effective July 1, 2022, including retroactive pay from that date, and a 5% raise on July 1, 2023.
Starbucks workers find HELP in the United States Senate
In a jam-packed hearing room last Wednesday, March 29, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) heard testimony from members of Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of SEIU, about the illegal retaliation they have faced for organizing. They also grilled former Starbucks chief executive officer Howard Schultz about his role in leading one of the most vicious union-busting campaigns in U.S. history.
California Academy of Sciences workers take their unionization campaign with SEIU 1021 public
On the eve of César Chávez Day, they introduced the world to CalAcademy Workers United at a public event in the Music Concourse at Golden Gate Park
Thursday, on the eve of the holiday celebrating beloved labor organizer César Chávez, with the noontime sun beaming down after dreary days of rain and wind, dozens of California Academy of Sciences workers convened in the Music Concourse at Golden Gate Park with a very important announcement.
Starbucks workers coast to coast wage major protest day before annual shareholder meeting as pressure mounts over company’s illegal union busting
The eve of Starbucks’ annual shareholder meeting, the company’s workers held actions across the country, including Berkeley, Santa Clara, Mill Valley, El Dorado Hills, San Pablo, and more across Northern California. They are demanding fundamental rights like livable wages, consistent scheduling, safe and respectful workplaces, and the right to organize free from fear and intimidation.
After more than two decades of public service, SEIU 1021 staff member Ariana Casanova prepares for the next step as a candidate for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors
After the tragic passing of longtime Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Richard Valle, the Board has had a vacancy. The County needs a new champion for working families. Valle himself made his own wishes clear before his death: He wanted his successor to be long-time SEIU 1021 political organizer Ariana Casanova.