Newswire
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.
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.
Building solidarity to defend our communities
From Gaza to Cop City: UPDATED DATE May 5
On Monday, May 5, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 1021 Members for Palestine will host a Zoom discussion with Stop Cop City (Atlanta), Tenants Against Policing (Bay Area), Berkeley Copwatch, and SEIU Drop the Cops to build solidarity to defend our communities against the Israeli / US police system.
This event is for SEIU 1021 members only. Register by clicking here.
Community coalition mobilizes to tell Sonoma County Board of Supervisors: No wasteful, inaccessible proposed building purchases
Tuesday, March 25, a community coalition — including SEIU 1021, Sonoma County Conservation Action, North Bay Organizing Project, and Rohnert Park City Councilmember Jackie Elward — united at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting to oppose the proposed purchase of buildings at 3850 and 3880 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa.
New SEIU 1021 Executive Board sworn in
SEIU 1021 members gathered at the San Francisco union hall last Saturday, March 22, to swear in our new executive board. Excitement filled the air as the weight of the challenge set in. The incoming board will be leading the fight to protect workers’ rights and public services at a critical moment.
Let our elected leaders know why Medicaid is important to you
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are considering severing a lifeline to millions of Americans: Medicaid, the federal program that provides more than half of California’s Medi-Cal funding. Many of us know someone who benefits from the precious resource that connects underserved or vulnerable communities to quality patient care. And the public health services that many SEIU members provide are funded in large part by Medicaid.
So next week SEIU is organizing a national Save Medicaid Lobby Day between March 25-26 to let Congress know: We can’t afford to lose Medicaid!