Newswire
SF city workers take over City Hall in urgent rally against service cuts and layoffs
City workers disrupt city hall, drop banners, and call on the mayor to protect public services
As the City’s budget process gears up, city unions—including IFPTE Local 21, SEIU Local 1021, and the SF Building Trades—held an emergency rally last Wednesday, May 14. City workers expressed deep concerns that Mayor Daniel Lurie’s soon-to-be-released budget might make drastic cuts to public services while big tech companies continue to avoid paying their fair share in taxes.
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.
Unions, community members stand united against Medicaid cuts
On April 16, community members, parents, and advocates gathered outside Rep. Kevin Kiley’s office in Rocklin, CA, to demand he oppose $880 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts — cuts that would devastate millions of Californians, especially children, people with disabilities, and low-income families. The rally came just one day after more than 30,000 people turned out to hear Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez call on Kiley to protect healthcare.
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.
California Uber, Lyft drivers celebrate major milestone in ongoing fight for union rights
AB 1340 (Wicks, Berman) passes out of Assembly Labor Committee
On Wednesday, April 23, legislation to realize California rideshare drivers’ decade-long fight for a voice in improving their work conditions and shaping their industry cleared its first hurdle, receiving overwhelming support in the Assembly’s Committee on Labor. AB 1340 (Wicks, Berman) will give California’s more than 600,000 rideshare drivers the opportunity to form a union and negotiate with corporations like Uber and Lyft over their pay and working conditions.
Alameda Health System workers defeat layoff attempt
When we fight, we WIN!
In a misguided attempt to “modernize” at the expense of workers and the community, Alameda Health System management recently tried, and failed, to replace cafeteria clerks with self-service kiosks. This half-baked proposal would have eliminated SEIU 1021 members’ jobs and removed the option to pay with cash, harming the low-income patients AHS is meant to serve.
SEIU 1021 denounces Trump administration’s attack on Head Start
The Trump administration is quietly moving to gut Head Start, proposing to eliminate the program entirely in future budgets, while already delaying nearly $1 billion in funding this year, a 37% drop from 2024.
These cuts are forcing closures and layoffs at centers nationwide, affecting families and workers.
Barbara Lee will be Oakland’s next mayor!
"While the challenges are many, the opportunities are great."
After a 100-day, people-powered campaign, Barbara Lee has been elected the next mayor of Oakland, and SEIU 1021 members deserve a great deal of the credit for this historic and unifying political victory. Our union was behind her every step of the way, and our members were out in front of her campaign, hitting the streets time and again to talk to our neighbors in support of Lee’s vision to move Oakland forward.
For Earth Day, speak out for economic justice and climate justice!
Working people are the backbone of our communities. When disasters like wildfires occur, we take action to protect one another, keeping cities and counties functioning in the most devastating circumstances.
“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.