Newswire
Are you a new and aspiring member leader? Level up with our Internship for Leader Development
Applications for the sixth cohort are open--deadline to apply is Oct. 20!
SEIU Local 1021’s Internship for Leader Development Program is entering its sixth cohort and is looking for energetic and motivated members who are committed to working for social and racial justice and who 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.
North Coast chapters rack up strong new contracts
In a year where many SEIU 1021 chapters have been negotiating new contracts, the North Coast region from Marin County to Del Norte County has been scoring some important wins.
For example, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) bargaining team, with the help of members’ advocacy and activism, won an impressive 24% wage increase over three years (8% per year starting July 1, 2022), in addition to one-time hazard pay bonuses of $750-1500 and improvements in contract language around non-discrimination, working conditions, layoffs, and more.
Across California, SEIU wins for clinics workers and the communities that depend on them
A huge victory for community clinic workers! For the first time in our state’s history, all community clinic workers will receive $1,000 retention bonuses.
This victory wouldn’t have been possible without the participation and leadership of SEIU clinic workers across California. By uniting and bringing lawmakers’ attention to the struggles we face, we were able to secure this historic investment in workers.
You can check out a list of common questions and answers about the bonuses by clicking here.
Gov. Newsom signs AB 257 into law on Labor Day in major victory for fast-food workers
Fast-food workers win one of the most important pieces of labor legislation since the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.
When a mass movement of workers comes together, nothing is impossible. Assembly Bill 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, or FAST Recovery Act, passed the California State Senate last Monday, August 29, 2022. The next day, the California State Assembly re-approved the bill.
After nine months of bargaining and a historic strike, workers at Tenderloin Housing Clinic have ratified a new contract
On Friday, September 2, members of SEIU Local 1021 working at Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC) voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract with management. This ratification comes on the heels of over nine months at the bargaining table, as well as what is believed to be a historic, first-ever strike at a city-funded supportive housing nonprofit.
Theresa Rutherford officially assumes her duties as president of SEIU 1021
This weekend, Theresa Rutherford formally assumed her duties as the new president of SEIU Local 1021. Theresa was appointed to this role by a supermajority vote by the SEIU 1021 Executive Board at their July meeting upon news that previous President Joseph Bryant would be moving on to become executive vice president of SEIU at the international union level.
President Biden’s student loan cancellation is “groundbreaking” for some SEIU 1021 members
Emily Flores works at Oakland’s Highland Hospital as a community health outreach worker in the Care Transitions Program. She helps identify the patients who are most at risk and most in need of help navigating our healthcare system and helps them find resources, programs, and tools to assist them in taking better care of their health. Last week, she got the news that President Joe Biden had taken bold action to address our nation’s student debt crisis.
SEIU 1021 joins Sen. Alex Padilla at a press conference calling for a robust response to the growing monkeypox outbreak
On Thursday, August 25, SEIU 1021 joined US Senator Alex Padilla and San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, along with officials from the California Department of Public Health and San Francisco Department of Public Health, at a press conference to discuss the growing monkeypox outbreak.
Padilla toured San Francisco’s main monkeypox vaccine site at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital as California surpasses 3,000 cases statewide. After the tour, local and state leaders advocated for additional vaccines and equitable distribution throughout California.
Fast-food workers bring the heat to Sacramento, fighting for a FAST Recovery
California is on the verge of transforming how fast-food workers are treated
On a scoring hot day that hit nearly one-hundred ten degrees in Sacramento, fast-food workers, SEIU 1021 members, and community supporters and allies converged upon the state capital. That heat that enveloped Northern California on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, is what fast-food workers face in the kitchens of thirty thousand restauranteurs across California.
Workers in Contra Costa County form a Coalition and Win Big Together!
Workers in nine Contra Costa County unions recently formed a coalition to bargain a new contract with the County. The goal was a fair contract and a solution to the understaffing crisis that left workers burnt out and overworked and left the County unable to deliver valuable services to its residents.
SEIU 1021 and AFT 2121 kick off “Yes on Prop O” campaign
San Francisco City College staff, faculty, students, and other supporters from the community and from a historic labor coalition kicked off the “Yes on O” voter education and mobilization campaign Sunday, August 21. The rally comes on the heels of Measure O qualifying for the November 8 ballot with over 20,000 signatures—well over twice the requirement.
Mendocino County workers fill Board of Supervisors meeting to protest continued inaction
As the Board of Supervisors and county administrators point fingers over budget chaos, county workers continue to provide vital services against impossible odds every day. But how much longer can they wait for solutions to the staffing crisis?
Public disputes among members of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors and the county administration over the reliability and accuracy of the budget have reached a fever pitch. County workers are still waiting for the Board to take action to protect services amidst a worsening staffing problem. With an overall vacancy rate of 27%, it is clear that the county is very short-staffed – but certain crucial classifications are short by as much as 40 to nearly 70%.
Laguna Honda workers secure an extended pause on patient transfers in their effort to keep the hospital open
This week, workers at San Francisco’s Laguna Honda hospital received good news. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has agreed to extend the pause on patient transfers from Laguna Honda Hospital. This is another huge victory for the safety of our patients and the future of our institution.
Felton Management locks workers outside of building during lunch rally
On August 9, workers marched and rallied at a lunchtime break action outside the Felton Institute’s Family Developmental Center building. Workers were voicing their frustration with management’s unwillingness to negotiate a fair contract with existing members at Felton while also protesting management’s attempts at intimidating the not-yet-union workers attempting to join SEIU 1021.
It’s the final push for a FAST Recovery
Fast-food workers, SEIU Local 1021 members rally at state capital to demand California State Senate passes AB 257 - the FAST Recovery Act
On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, hundreds of fast-food workers rallied at the state capital building in Sacramento and across the city at various fast-food restaurant locations, demanding that California state senators pass the FAST Recovery Act and for California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign it into law.
SFUSD classified staff speak out about broken payroll system
Retirement payments, insurance, overtime, and more continue to be impacted by a faulty system and short-staffing
Pension funds not being deposited into employees’ accounts, forcing some to delay retirement. 401(k) contributions being deducted from paychecks but not deposited into 401(k) accounts. Insurance premiums being deducted from paychecks but not paid to the insurance companies, so that policies are being canceled or are refusing to accept claims without payment. Approved leave not being paid. Overtime not being paid. New hires not receiving their benefits when they reach the date they should. Teachers not getting paid for months.
SEIU 1021 Shows Up to Support Sheng Thao for Oakland Mayor
Oakland is at a political crossroads, with long-time mayor Libby Schaaf not eligible to run again after serving two terms, and three City Council seats up for election in Districts 2, 4 and 6. District 4’s current representative Sheng Thao is running for Mayor, and she kicked off her campaign on Saturday with plenty of support from SEIU 1021.
Historic Inflation Reduction Act passed by US Senate will help working people
This weekend, the US Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This bill makes a historic down payment on deficit reduction to fight inflation. It will invest in domestic energy production and manufacturing, as well as reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030.
SEIU 1021 members join SF Labor in condemning Amazon acquisition of One Medical
Wherever voices are being raised to rein in corporate power and stick up for working people, you’ll find SEIU 1021 members. Last week was no different, as hundreds of union members and community activists marched through San Francisco’s financial district to rally outside One Medical’s headquarters to protest their impending acquisition by Amazon, with SEIU 1021’s own Nicole Christian leading the way.
Fast-food workers fight against sexual harassment and for a voice on the job
During the summer of action in the fight for a “fast recovery” for the fast-food industry, workers took action at a Saratoga McDonald’s. A former employee at the Saratoga McDonald’s filed a discrimination complaint against McDonald’s Friday, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Around thirty members of the Fight for 15 and Union movement held a rally on Thursday, August 4, 2022. The group marched through the store with signs that read “Stop Sexual Harassment.”