Issues & Legislation
Statement from SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford on passage of San Francisco Proposition F
Media contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, (510) 710-0201, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org
“SEIU Local 1021 filed an Unfair Practice Charge today. In the Unfair Practice Charge, we asked the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to void Proposition F on the ground that the City failed to provide the union prior notice or opportunity to bargain over the impacts of it before placing it on the ballot. We will also file a Request to Expedite, which asks PERB to put this case to the front of its queue due to the urgency of the matter.
Union members rally for Prop 1 with Gov. Newsom at SEIU 2015 in San Francisco
They then headed out to knock on doors and make calls to get out the vote.
On Monday, March 4, the eve of the primary election, members of SEIU 1021, SEIU 2015, building trades unions, and other unions filled SEIU 2015’s San Francisco union hall to rally for Proposition 1. The rally had a special guest: the ballot measure’s own author and chief proponent, Governor Gavin Newsom.
Proposition 1 would create a $6.4 billion bond that would pay for the construction of new treatment beds and housing for people struggling with mental health and severe substance abuse.
SF union members brave rain to get out the vote for Prop B
Dozens of volunteers came to the Prop B campaign kickoff, then hit the streets to get the word out to voters
On a rain-soaked Saturday morning last weekend, dozens of volunteers–many of them union members–came together in the Richmond district in San Francisco. They were in sneakers and jackets, ready to brave the elements to get the word out to voters: San Francisco needs Prop B for public safety.
Celebrating success: Solano County Superior Court chapter reaches tentative agreement
SEIU 1021’s dedicated members at Solano County Superior Court successfully reached a tentative agreement after a series of escalating actions that got the public’s attention through media coverage.
Highlights include:
Victory for SF City workers: Budget-draining legislation neutralized by amendment requiring new funding
The Safer Smarter SF Coalition turned out again on Monday, Nov. 6, and pushed the Rules Committee to pass the amended version
Yesterday, Monday, November 6, San Francisco City and County workers and supporters once again packed the SF Board of Supervisors Rule Committee. This time, their goal was to push the committee to pass the version of the charter amendment introduced two weeks ago by Sup. Matt Dorsey containing Sup. Ahsha Safaí’s amendment to the full Board of Supervisors. And they won an important early victory: The amended version of the legislation passed 2-1, with only Sup. Dorsey voting against his own bill.
SEIU 1021 members host a statewide conference to build unity in the fight for climate justice
Last Saturday, November 4, more than 150 SEIU members from across California met in person at the SEIU 1021 San Francisco office and via Zoom for a Climate Justice Conference, hosted by SEIU Local 1021.
President Theresa Rutherford welcomed members from SEIU 1021, 221, 721, 1000, 2015, and USWW, saying, “Climate change is not a phenomenon: It’s now a crisis, and it has been for a long time. It disproportionately affects Black and brown people, and that’s why SEIU 1021 has made this a priority.”
SEIU 1021, other SF unions speak out against proposed charter amendment that would decimate City budget
Union members flooded the Board of Supervisors Rules Committee meeting to make their voices heard
Monday, October 30, dozens of members of SEIU 1021, IFTPE Local 21, and San Francisco building trades unions filled the SF Board of Supervisors Rules Committee chambers to overflowing. One by one, they gave public comment protesting a charter amendment proposed by Supervisor Matt Dorsey that would decimate the City’s budget.
We did it! SB 525 victory recap video
A monumental win for California healthcare workers!
Governor Gavin Newsom officially signed SB 525 into law on October 13, marking a monumental win for healthcare workers nationwide. This victory is a testament to the power of collective action and dedicated advocacy.
Senator Laphonza Butler visits SEIU 1021 members at San Francisco office
She held a meet-and-greet with members of SEIU 1021 and other unions and shared her story and vision
Members of SEIU 1021 and other unions were thrilled to get a surprise opportunity to meet the new U.S. Senator from California, Laphonza Butler, last Wednesday, October 11. The former president of SEIU 2015 who was appointed to the seat left empty by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s passing came by the SEIU 1021 office in San Francisco for a meet-and-greet with labor leaders and activists.
Victory for healthcare workers! Gov. Newsom signs SB 525
The legislation will raises the minimum wage for CA healthcare workers to $25/hour
After weeks of advocates pushing him to sign SB 525, Governor Gavin Newsom finally put his signature on one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for healthcare workers in the nation last Friday, October 13.
Urgent action required: Urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 525 today!
Healthcare workers need your immediate help: getting Governor Newsom to sign SB 525. This bill holds the potential to bring significant improvements to the lives of California’s workers, including many of our own members.
SB 525 would set a minimum hourly wage of $25 for healthcare workers, recognizing the dedication of our healthcare heroes and addressing the pressing need for equitable wages as living costs continue to rise and the healthcare field continues to suffer from short staffing.
Good jobs, clean air, and statewide solidarity are on the agenda for SEIU’s Climate Conference
“We are facing an existential crisis, and that’s why we need to meet now, not in the future! I’m very excited to meet other SEIU members from all over California on November 4.” says Eddie Isaacs, a classified bargaining unit representative for consumer and environmental protection and chair of the SEIU Local 1000 Environmental Committee. He’s just one of the people who will be attending the SEIU Climate Conference on Saturday, November 4, and he hopes to see you there.
Honoring the legacy of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein & welcoming incoming Sen. Laphonza Butler
Statement from SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford
September 29, 2023, marked the end of an era with the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. A trailblazer for women, she was the first woman president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the first woman mayor of San Francisco before becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from California. As a U.S. Senator, she was the first woman member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the first woman to chair the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and the first woman to chair the Senate Intelligence Committee.
$25 minimum wage for healthcare workers heads to governor’s desk
SB 525, which passed the CA State Legislature on Thursday, is a huge win for clinic workers
Healthcare workers–especially those working at California’s community clinics–scored a huge victory last Thursday, September 14, when the California State Legislature passed SB 525.
Fast-food workers win big on final day of legislative session
Last Thursday, September 14, was the final day of the legislative calendar for bills to pass the California State Legislature. Assembly Bill 1228 passed, marking a watershed moment for the state’s nearly 500,000 fast-food workers.
Join the SEIU Climate Summit
Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Whether we’re at home or work, all of us need to deal with our changing climate. This year, we’ve had a hot, dry summer, floods, fires, and even hurricane-strength storms hitting Los Angeles. It’s time for union action!
As union members, we’ve seen the power we have to make changes at our workplaces, and we’ve felt the impact we can make politically. At the SEIU Climate Summit, we’ll build the skills and connections we’ll need for our 200,000 SEIU members across California to take decisive action to protect ourselves and the environment we all inhabit.
HealthRIGHT 360 workers join rally to end overdoses at SF City Hall
The rally aimed to raise awareness of the overdose epidemic in SF--and how the renewed War on Drugs is killing people
Last Thursday, August 31, on International Overdose Awareness Day, over 100 advocates and community members rallied on the steps of San Francisco City Hall. They protested public policies that are failing to address the city’s overdose epidemic and advocated for real public health solutions. SEIU 1021 members from HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit organization providing integrated primary medical, mental health, and substance abuse care across California, joined the rally.
Clinic workers advocate for SB 525 at the state capitol
Last Tuesday, August 29, healthcare workers from across California rallied at the state capitol in downtown Sacramento. They were calling on lawmakers to support SB 525, a groundbreaking bill that would establish a $25 minimum hourly wage for healthcare professionals.
This wage would address staffing shortages by improving retention of existing healthcare workers and attracting new talent to the field. By pioneering this national wage standard, California hopes to set an example for the entire country.
Driverless cars threatening lives and livelihoods of workers across San Francisco
Blocking intersections, almost running over pedestrians, delaying an ambulance carrying a car accident victim to a hospital: Driverless cars are behind some of the latest issues San Francisco faces.
On August 10, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved resolutions granting additional operating authority for Cruise LLC and Waymo LLC to conduct commercial passenger service using driverless vehicles in San Francisco. The approval includes the ability for both companies to charge fares for rides at any time of day.
SF Political Leaders, Community and Labor Groups Endorse Schools and Communities First Initiative
On January 28, SEIU 1021 members joined San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Supervisors Gordon Mar, Shamann Walton, Sandra Fewer and Norman Yee, and other unions, community groups for a rally celebrating the City’s broad support of Schools & Communities First Ballot Initiative.
This exciting measure would reclaim $12 billion each year from wealthy corporations like Chevron and Shell Oil to fund schools and local services. The initiative specifically exempts all residential property, guaranteeing that homeowners and renters will be protected.