Newswire

SEIU 1021
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Newswire

Looking for stories from our latest weekly SEIU 1021 Newswire? Here you go!

Article

San Francisco Citywide members ratify strong contract by 91%
In the face of a big budget deficit, members' unity and participation made all the difference

With strong turnout, SEIU 1021 members in the San Francisco Citywide (“Miscellaneous”) bargaining unit voted by 91% to ratify the new three-year agreement won through a fierce contract campaign this year.

Members voted throughout the month of May, and votes were counted at the San Francisco union hall on May 30.

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SEIU elects April Verrett as the union’s first Black international president at the quadrennial convention in Philadelphia
In a historic vote, members also elect former SEIU 1021 President Joseph Bryant as executive vice president and SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford into the SEIU International Executive Board.

SEIU members made history on May 20 by electing April Verrett as international president, making her the first Black woman to lead the union in our 103-year history. Verrett previously served as secretary-treasurer alongside former Mary Kay Henry, who stepped down as international president after an influential 14-year tenure.

Over 3,500 SEIU members from across the country, Puerto Rico, and Canada participated in the vote held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the union’s first in-person convention in eight years.

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Cal Academy of Sciences members fight back against layoffs
Less than a year after forming their union, they are still organizing -- for a fair first contract and to prevent proposed layoffs

Since voting by a landslide 77% to form their union with SEIU 1021 last July, workers at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco have not stopped organizing. In addition to pushing for a fair first contract at the bargaining table, they are now also having to fight proposed involuntary layoffs. Wednesday, May 22, they took that fight directly to the Academy’s board of trustees.

Article by SEIU 1021 member Caitlin Flammer

1021 members stand for global solidarity in Richmond

On Sunday, May 19, SEIU 1021 members gathered with local residents and climate justice groups at Richmond’s Unity Park for Anti-Chevron Day: From Richmond to Palestine.

The annual event is a day of solidarity for all people and communities affected by Chevron’s greedy, anti-union, and destructive business practices. Anti-Chevron Day connects Richmond’s ongoing struggle for justice with movements to end violence and environmental racism all around the world.  

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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.

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Mendocino Lake Community College employees demand board of trustees invest in Mendocino community

SEIU 1021 chapter president Beronica Leon demanding that the Mendocino Lake Community College Board of Trustees invest in the 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.” 

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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.

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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.

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Marin Housing Authority members ratify contract

Campaign ad supporting union employees at Marin Housing Authority

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. 

Article

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.”