Newswire
Nurses at SF public hospitals & community clinics vote by 99.5% to authorize a strike — then win tentative agreement within days
Registered nurses from across San Francisco Department of Public Health gathered at their union hall on May 17 to count ballots that asked members whether to allow their contract negotiations team to authorize the bargaining team to call a strike. The results: A 99.5% landslide in favor.
That’s because SFDPH management had refused to take meaningful action to address chronic staffing undermining patient care.
SEIU 1021 and a union coalition fight against layoffs in Oakland
In the face of serious budget issues in the City of Oakland, SEIU 1021 members have spoken up repeatedly alongside other working people. On Tuesday, May 14, they called on City Council and Mayor Sheng Thao to prioritize services for the community and avoid furloughs, layoffs, and other cuts.
City of San Rafael members raise alarm on staffing crisis endangering children & families
On Monday, May 20, members of SEIU 1021 employed by the City of San Rafael – including childcare providers, street maintenance workers, and administrative staff – raised the alarm at the San Rafael City Council meeting. They alerted the council that their staffing crisis is unnecessarily endangering San Rafael’s children and families.
SEIU 1021 Dixon Unified School District classified professionals and teachers stand united in the face of stagnant negotiations
On Thursday, May 16th, SEIU 1021 Dixon Unified Schools classified professionals joined the Dixon Teachers Association (DTA) in solidarity as both unions face unmet demands for increased school investment during negotiations.
SEIU 1021 Santa Clara All Lecturers Union (SALU) Ratify Historic First Contract With 97.8% Approval
On Thursday, May 16th, after 16 months of negotiations, SEIU Local 1021 members working as adjunct professors and lecturers for Santa Clara University (SCU) voted to approve their first union contract.
Mendocino Lake Community College employees demand board of trustees invest in Mendocino community
Wednesday, May 8, the union members who keep Mendocino Lake Community College running – including custodians, admissions staff, financial aid staff, and maintenance technicians – demanded that their board of trustees invest in the Mendocino community.
According to a report surveying workers in Mendocino County, “22% have experienced homelessness, with three percent currently homeless while working… 18% of respondents reporting applying for federal, state, and local programs to help with housing costs.”
SEIU 1021 members lobby state legislators to protect workers and the environment
Last week, San Francisco resilience GIS analyst and SEIU 1021 member Alex Morrison joined other SEIU members from across California to rally in Sacramento. They advocated for lawmakers to invest in public sector approaches to fighting climate change.
He said, “Addressing climate change will take an unprecedented effort, to keep fossil fuels in the ground and fundamentally change how we approach people meeting their needs in our society.
SFDPH nurses rally at Laguna Honda Hospital, announce strike authorization vote
SF Department of Public Health registered nurses and other frontline healthcare staff gathered outside of Laguna Honda Hospital on the afternoon of Thursday, May 9, for a National Nurses Week event that was both festive — and serious.
Napa County & City of Napa members rally for a fair contract
More than 100 SEIU 1021 members from Napa County and City of Napa gathered at the Napa County administration building on Tuesday, May 7, to rally for improved working conditions and fair treatment for workers.
As negotiations continue for new contracts for both bargaining units, the workers highlighted the pressing need for increased cost-of-living adjustments to combat rising prices, reduce turnover, and fill vacancies.
SEIU 1021 members at Vacaville Unified Schools win huge grievance settlement
On April 22, SEIU 1021 won a settlement agreement to repay Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD) members approximately $180,000 after the district erroneously docked their pay.
Marin Housing Authority members ratify contract
Monday, May 6, SEIU 1021 members at Marin Housing Authority (MHA) ratified a tentative agreement that makes significant advances toward making MHA capable of attracting adequate levels of union staff. The ratification vote passed overwhelmingly by 96%.
Highlights of the new three-year contract include 12% over three years, including 6% the first year; a one-time $2000 bonus; 5% temporary vacancy premium pay; and the addition of Juneteenth as a holiday.
Purple Wednesdays in San Joaquin County
Like many of us in SEIU 1021, members in San Joaquin County have been dutifully donning purple every Wednesday for years. Since 2018, Region E Vice President Taffie Walter has made it her mission to get members into the spirit to build camaraderie and show solidarity to management across all chapters.
“It reminds us we are unified and together in a positive way,” said Taffie. “It also shows management the union is still present even when we may not be in bargaining.”
SEIU 1021 Education Industry Summit attendees ready to build, fight, and win!
Members heard from inspiring guest speakers State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Senator Aisha Wahab, plus a special video message from Assemblymember Liz Ortega
Last Saturday, May 4th, was the 2024 SEIU Local 1021 Education Summit. Classified professionals representing K-12 and community college districts from across Northern California gathered at the Sunrise Event Center in Vacaville to gain new skills, get invigorated for upcoming fights, share knowledge with other SEIU 1021 members, and have a little fun!
Join the “Hands Off Kids and Families” rally to advocate for budget equity and child welfare programs
Do you live in or near Sacramento, or can you make it there? On May 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join advocates and activists at the state capitol building’s west steps (at 1315 10th and L St.) in Sacramento for the “Hands Off Kids and Families” rally and lobby day.
“Target on our backs”: SFMTA workers rally against unsafe working conditions
Parking control officers found out about the alleged upcoming “crackdown” announced through the news media – and they worry that it sets them up for increased risk of assault by disgruntled motorists.
Thursday, April 25, SFMTA parking control officers, station agents, and car cleaners rallied outside SFMTA headquarters. They are still in tough contract negotiations fighting for a fair contract, and one of their priorities is making sure SFMTA workers are safe on the job — and have input into important decisions that affect their work.
SF RNs storm health commission meeting demanding safe staffing
Registered nurses with San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH), Laguna Honda Hospital, and SF’s community clinics say tension is high, risk is up, and morale is low. They rallied outside of SFGH on April 23 against unsafe working conditions then boarded a bus to storm the SFDPH Health Commission meeting. They delivered 2,000 “assignment despite objection” forms documenting how short staffing is leading to serious risk to both patients and hospital workers.
“This is going to be huge”
California Supreme Court upholds Alameda County's Measure C, unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars for early health and education for children
On Wednesday, April 24 the California State Supreme Court upheld the validity of 2020’s Measure C, The Children’s Health and Child Care Initiative for Alameda County.
A major priority for SEIU 1021, Measure C passed in 2020 with overwhelming voter support after a coalition of community, labor, health, and early childhood stakeholders gathered over 57,000 signatures to qualify a ballot initiative.
SEIU 1021 Tides Network members win big raises in wage reopener
SEIU 1021 members at Tides Network recently received a unit-wide raise of up to 15% as a result of of compensation equity bargaining. The whole package totaled nearly $400,000 for the unit of 120 workers.
May Day events around the Bay Area
May 1 marks International Workers’ Day, at times referred to as May Day of Action. That comes with a demonstrations, rallies, and strikes demanding better quality of life for the working class.
City of Oakland members speak out against service cuts, layoffs, and furloughs
Last summer, SEIU 1021 members worked closely with Oakland mayor Sheng Thao and progressive councilmembers, including Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Carroll Fife, and Rebecca Kaplan, to ensure that the city’s budget reflected Oakland values, even in the face of significant deficits.