Newswire
Breaking barriers: the legacy of Johnnie Lacy
By the SEIU Local 1021 Workers with Disabilities Committee
Johnnie Lacy was a trailblazer in the disability rights movement, and her contributions have had a lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities. Her advocacy efforts helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and paved the way for greater inclusion and accessibility. Her legacy inspires future generations of activists and advocates to fight for a more just and equitable society for all.
Hundreds of Alameda County workers and community members picket to say “STAFF UP NOW!”
On Monday, February 13, hundreds of Alameda County workers and community members rallied at Lake Merritt Amphitheater to protest the county’s nearly 25% vacancy rate, with 2,611 unfilled positions.
The rally started with a moment of silence for Richard Valle, a longtime champion of labor and progressive causes across the East Bay, who recently passed away. The workers planted flags to represent the 2,611 vacancies, and marched to 1221 Oak St. to deliver a letter demanding the Board of Supervisors solve the staffing crisis.
Sonoma County Workers Rally at Board of Supervisors to Demand Action to Address Severe Staffing Crisis
Short staffing is jeopardizing critical public services and endangering residents – and frustrated county workers are speaking up.
Sonoma County is experiencing an unprecedented staffing crisis that is leaving residents in a lurch, particularly the county’s most vulnerable. After the strain of multiple fires, floods, and the pandemic, on top of pay that has not kept pace with inflation, employees are leaving the County at alarming rates to find more sustainable employment elsewhere. Those who remain are struggling under an ever-increasing workload – and county residents are paying the price.
SEIU 1021 members in San Francisco put their solidarity on full display at annual Unity Party
Last Thursday, SEIU 1021 members across San Francisco joined together to celebrate another year for the history books. After negotiating strong agreements between our union and employers including the City and County of San Francisco as well as several nonprofit employers, there was good reason to celebrate.
Fast food workers secure $2.2 million in wage theft violations, vow to continue their fight back against corporate greed
While fast-food corporations like McDonald’s Corporation, Burger King Corporation, Jack in the Box, Inc., and others attempt to roll back the significant gains with the passage of 2022’s Assembly Bill 257 – the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, or the FAST Recovery Act for short, fast-food workers continue the fight for higher wages, safer workspaces, and a union.
SEIU 1021 members celebrate Oakland’s historic new mayor, Sheng Thao
Sheng Thao was inaugurated as Oakland’s mayor last week, and SEIU 1021 was on the scene. The former City Council member has been a familiar face at SEIU 1021 events including our recent holiday toy drive, and her term as mayor is an exciting moment for working people across the Bay Area and a tremendous opportunity for working people, with a pro-worker mayor of Oakland.
City of Berkeley workers are speaking up against understaffing
The City of Berkeley has, like most places, struggled with staffing throughout the pandemic. The need for core services provided by City workers and SEIU 1021 members has spiked, and pressing issues around working conditions, including telework options, adequate leave, and fair compensation, have made it difficult to fill the positions that fulfill those needs.
Port of Oakland workers picket for a fair workplace and a strong contract
Throughout the pandemic, Port of Oakland workers have been pushed to the limit, and they’re fighting back again to win a contract and put a stop to unfair disciplines and chronic understaffing. You can help by signing their petition here.
SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford reflects on a significant year for our union
2022 was a big year for our union. I am so proud of the work we did to advance the interests of our members and of working people more broadly while still living and working under the cloud of COVID-19.
The Starbucks organizing momentum reaches the Bay Area amid national strike
What began as one unionizing effort at a Starbucks coffeehouse in Buffalo, New York, has spread across the United States to over six thousand five hundred workers at over two-hundred-fifty corporate-owned Starbucks stores in under one year.
Gig workers continue the fight against the unconstitutional Proposition 22
In August 2021, the Alameda County Superior Court ruled that Proposition 22 violated the California Constitution. On December 13, the California Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the gig corporations’ appeal of that ruling. Out in force were hundreds of gig workers, community supporters, allies, coalition partners, and public officials supporting workers’ rights.
SEIU 1021 Annual Toy Drive Distributes Thousands of Toys to East Bay Families in Fourth Year of Annual Holiday Giveaway
On Saturday, December 17, SEIU 1021 once again hosted our annual holiday toy giveaway for East Bay families. After a successful kickoff and donation drive, we collected more toys than in any of the previous years, filling a school bus with donations that will bring joy and holiday spirit to hundreds of children and their families.
SEIU 1021 honored with an Equity Award at the 20th annual human rights banquet from Human Agenda
On Saturday, December 10, SEIU Local 1021 was honored at the 20th Anniversary Human Rights Awards, receiving a 2022 Human Rights Award from the non-profit Human Agenda organization, which seeks to envision a world in which everyone’s needs are met, to create local institutions that are democratic, cooperative, egalitarian, sustainable, and kind, and to take individual responsibility for embodying the changes we want to see.
SEIU 1021 members welcome new Sacramento City Unified School District board members
The school board meeting on Dec. 15 was packed wall-to-wall with supportive union members
While packed school board meetings usually signal trouble brewing, the mood at the packed Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education meeting last week was festive. SCUSD classified staff — SEIU 1021 members — and educators represented by Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) filled the room to overflowing to celebrate the induction of three new board members they had knocked on thousands of doors to get elected.
SEIU 1021 and community allies unite to defeat SFPD’s killer robots proposal
Several weeks ago, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the San Francisco Police Department to deploy remote-control robots that were capable of using deadly force against residents. SEIU 1021 activists, along with racial justice groups, civil rights and civil liberties organizations, LGBTQ organizations, and other unions, jumped into action to oppose this dangerous and scary policy.
Mendocino County Workers Ratify One-Year Contract with Plans to Hold County Accountable for Improved Process & Information Flow for Future Agreements
The new contract, which was approved by over 90% of voting members, includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment and a one-time $3000 ARPA stipend, as well as larger improvements for certain severely understaffed classifications
SEIU Local 1021 members working for Mendocino County voted by over 90% last week to approve a new one-year contract with the County after almost nine months of contentious negotiations, during which county administration and the Board of Supervisors claimed repeatedly not to know or understand what was available to them in the budget.
SEIU 1021 joins Oakland Mayor-Elect Sheng Thao, IFPTE 21, Hayward USD and YMCA Head Start To Pack School Bus with Toys for Children In Need
***If you know anyone who may be in need of toys this holiday season: the children must be registered to receive a toy. Contact Sandra.Lewis@seiu1021.org or call 510-388-2505. You can also learn more at www.fillabus.org***
On Thursday, December 8, Oakland Mayor-Elect Sheng Thao joined members and leaders of SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, and community allies for our annual holiday toy drive kickoff celebration.
East Bay Unity Event: Let’s celebrate our hard work and successes!
Despite the hardships we’ve endured during the pandemic, we’ve experienced many significant union wins here at SEIU 1021.
If you work in the East Bay, please join your union siblings for a unity party on Thurs., Dec. 15, from 5:30 – 9:30 PM, at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St., Suite 290, Oakland.
We will have a buffet dinner 5:30-7:00 PM, and our party with prizes, awards, special guests, and a DJ will be from 7:00-9:30 PM.
Staff at Mills College at Northeastern unanimously ratify first contract
Mills adjunct faculty also unanimously ratify new contract with Northeastern
Over two and a half years after voting by 95% to form their union with SEIU 1021, Mills College staff have voted unanimously to ratify their first union contract. In line with their priorities in negotiations, the agreement will provide meaningful improvements for the lowest-paid employees, including bumping the part-time minimum wage from $15 to $17 an hour and establishing a minimum wage of $23.15 an hour for full-time employees — for whom there has not been a minimum wage up until now.
SEIU 1021 welcomes Oakland’s next mayor, Sheng Thao
Wednesday, November 23, SEIU 1021 joined many Oakland residents at City Hall to welcome Sheng Thao as Oakland’s next mayor. Thao is a longtime friend of working people, having served on Oakland City Council for District 4 since 2018 and as City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan’s chief of staff before that.