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California Governor Supports Workers by Signing SB 93 Bill into Law
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.
North Coast News – April 2021
Check out what SEIU 1021 members are working on from Marin to Del Norte County!
Welcome to the inaugural issue of our new North Coast Newsletter! Each month, we’ll be collecting stories on the exciting and important work being done by SEIU 1021 members from Marin to Del Norte County and everywhere in between. In next month’s issue, we’ll be unveiling our brand new North Coast logo, which we’re excited to share with everyone in the region, too!
March 24th Was Equal Pay Day, the Day Women Catch Up with What Men Made in the Previous Year
This past Wednesday, March 24th, was Equal Pay Day. Equal Pay Day is a reminder of the work that remains to advance equity and ensure that all Americans can reach their full potential. Equal Pay Day was established in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity. This year marks the 25th year the occasion has been observed, but in 25 years, the pay gap Has shrunk by just eight cents. This day is symbolic of how far into this year women must work to catch up to what men made in the previous year.
SEIU 1021 members applaud the passage of the American Rescue Plan, which administers over $1 trillion dollars in aid
Last week, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law, securing a historic $1.9 trillion dollars in funding which include direct funding to Americans, a national vaccine program to contain COVID-19, and relief funds to help out working families and get the economy back on track.
Is Union Power Coming Back to the National Labor Relations Board?
As workers in the public sector, we have to pay attention to politics. In elections, we have the opportunity to vote for our bosses, choosing the politicians who shape our working lives and fund the jobs we do.
Less than half an hour into Joe Biden’s term as president, he demanded that General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Peter Robb resign. When Robb did not resign, Biden fired him, and followed it up the next day by letting go Alice Stock, who had been the Deputy General Counsel.
FAST Recovery Act: A New Bill To Supersize California Fast Food Workers’ Power to Fight for Safe Workplaces
On January 15, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez introduced the FAST Recovery Act, or AB 257, with support of SEIU California and thousands of fast food workers organizing with the Fight for $15. FAST in the title stands for Fast-food Accountability and STandards—and that is exactly what the bill aims to accomplish.
“We want COVID leave and better protection. We want to be respected as people.”
On Dr. King's Birthday, Fast Food Workers Went on Strike for Safe Working Conditions, a Federal $15 Minimum Wage, and a Union
January 15, 2021 – On the birthday of beloved Civil Rights pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fast-food workers in Oakland and Sacramento California banned together with fast-food workers in 15 cities across the country to strike for safe working conditions, fight for a $15 federal minimum wage, and a union.
Fighting for Workers’ Rights in a New Political Era
On January 6, 2021, as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and news feeds began to flood with reports of unruly crowds and violence erupting at the nation’s Capitol, our President Joseph Bryant promptly shared a bold public statement written in real-time. Here is an excerpt of his powerful statement:
“We are witnessing an assault on our people, an assault on democracy, and an assault on our country. The racist, divisive lies fomented by President Trump have turned into a full-on coup attempt. This is not who we are.”
We Honor the Memory of Theresa Breakfield
With a heavy heart, we share the news that Theresa Breakfield, a longtime SEIU 1021 union member, community leader, and political activist passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Theresa Breakfield was a committed member of our union who served first as a member of the SEIU 1021 Executive Board Budget and Finance Committee, representing Region E (Amador, Calaveras and San Joaquin Counties). She later served as the San Joaquin County Area Representative on the SEIU 1021 Executive Board until she retired in April of 2017.
2020 was a difficult year, but SEIU 1021 members fought back—and we won
It’s no secret that 2020 was a challenging year for all of us. It was a year that often felt like it lasted a decade, making it easy to lose sight of the many obstacles we faced and overcame over the last 12 months. When it was all said and done, SEIU 1021 members had lots to be proud of.
44 Years Strong – We Salute Henrietta Lee for Her Service and Dedication
44 years ago, Henrietta Lee started her journey working for the city of San Francisco as a Senior Clerk Typist at Youth Guidance Center and she has never looked back. Wearing many hats and serving thousands of community members over the years, Henrietta has carved a special place in the hearts of her colleagues and the youth she impacted.
Longtime SEIU 1021 member leader wins seat on Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association Board
We’re proud to announce that Tim Tuscany has won election to the SCERA Board. This is a fantastic win not just for Tim, who unseated a 16 year incumbent to secure victory, but for all SEIU 1021 members participating in the retirement plan.
As COVID-19 presents challenges for us all, SEIU 1021 members at BART step up to help the transit system
COVID-19 has presented challenges for us all, and our public transit systems are no exception. Throughout this pandemic, however, our members at BART have worked hard to ensure that the system stays safe and reliable for Bay Area commuters.
SEIU 1021 members have been getting out the vote across Northern California
Throughout our local, members and member leaders alike have been volunteering their time to increase voter turnout. As unionists, we know better than most the power of collective action and that is as true in the streets as it is in the ballot box.
SEIU 1021 members join SF teachers outside of the Bank of America building in support of Prop 15 and to demand that Trump stop funneling $11 million out of our communities each year through property tax loopholes
Press coverage
48 Hills: Teachers, nurses, students rally for Prop. 15
SEIU 1021 members join SF teachers outside of the Bank of America building in support of Prop 15 and to demand that Trump stop funneling $11 million out of our communities each year through property tax loopholes
Parents and School Workers Bring ‘Rotten Apples’ to Trump, McConnell and Betsy Devos
On September 11, Bay Area parents and school workers demanded that the Senate pass the HEROES Act to keep kids and workers safe. In front of Oakland’s Dellums Federal Building,they rallied, sang and brought ‘Rotten Apple’ signs to Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Betsy Devos for refusing to fund our schools.
Making Our Voices Heard: Voting and Voting by Mail in 2020
This year has been a challenge for all of us. It being an election year on top of everything else may feel like an added burden, but it is actually an opportunity for working people to get ahead, an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.
Since voting by mail is safe and convenient, the governor has ordered that a ballot be mailed to every voter this year. This means that if you are registered to vote with your correct address, you will receive a ballot in the mail. It is easy to check your status online at registertovote.ca.gov/
Students, Alums, Staff, and Adjunct Faculty Rally at California College of the Arts to Protest Unfairness, Financial Mismanagement and Cuts to Student Services
More than a year ago, staff workers at California College of the Arts overwhelmingly voted to form a union. These roughly 150 workers provide a wide range of student services at the school, from clerical and IT work to library staffers and artists in the school’s studios. Since their ratification vote in April of 2019, these staffers have worked to bargain their first contract with CCA administration.
From the frontlines: Taffie Walter, Chief Psychiatric Technician at San Joaquin County Behavioral Health, tells her story
I work in a different type of emergency room—a mental health
emergency room. It’s become more real in the last month or
so. Everyone is stressed out working during this crisis. I don’t
talk about it much, but it’s dangerous working in an
acute psychiatric facility.
Internship for Leader Development
SEIU Local 1021’s Internship for Leader Development is looking for energetic and motivated members who are committed to working for social and racial justice, believe in the value of work, the democratic process, and the importance of public services. This program will train and mobilize members who want to unleash their leadership potential.