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

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Asian Health Services members gear up to strike Sept. 20

More than 300 SEIU 1021 members employed by Asian Health Services (AHS) are gearing up for an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike starting next Wednesday, September 20. 

The strike follows over seven grueling months of frequently delayed negotiations. AHS management has consistently failed to fully address their concerns or provide critical information, leading to multiple ULP charges.

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HealthRIGHT 360 workers join rally to end overdoses at SF City Hall
The rally aimed to raise awareness of the overdose epidemic in SF--and how the renewed War on Drugs is killing people

Last Thursday, August 31, on International Overdose Awareness Day, over 100 advocates and community members rallied on the steps of San Francisco City Hall. They protested public policies that are failing to address the city’s overdose epidemic and advocated for real public health solutions. SEIU 1021 members from HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit organization providing integrated primary medical, mental health, and substance abuse care across California, joined the rally.

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California State Controller Malia Cohen launches audit of Mendocino County

On Friday, September 1, California State Controller Malia Cohen launched an audit of Mendocino County’s financial records. The audit comes in response to a formal request from SEIU 1021 North Coast Regional Vice President Mary Sandberg, who wrote her to express concerns about the County’s inability to provide accurate financial data – a situation that has severely hindered labor negotiations between the County and its employees.

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Clinic workers advocate for SB 525 at the state capitol

Last Tuesday, August 29, healthcare workers from across California rallied at the state capitol in downtown Sacramento. They were calling on lawmakers to support SB 525, a groundbreaking bill that would establish a $25 minimum hourly wage for healthcare professionals.

This wage would address staffing shortages by improving retention of existing healthcare workers and attracting new talent to the field. By pioneering this national wage standard, California hopes to set an example for the entire country.

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Driverless cars threatening lives and livelihoods of workers across San Francisco

Blocking intersections, almost running over pedestrians, delaying an ambulance carrying a car accident victim to a hospital: Driverless cars are behind some of the latest issues San Francisco faces.

On August 10, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved resolutions granting additional operating authority for Cruise LLC and Waymo LLC to conduct commercial passenger service using driverless vehicles in San Francisco. The approval includes the ability for both companies to charge fares for rides at any time of day.

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Mendocino County workers take fight against takeaways to the Board of Supervisors

Today, Tuesday, August 29, Mendocino County workers rallied at the Board of Supervisors meeting to defend county services. The rally comes after members voted last month by 92.4% to authorize a strike.

For the past five months, the county administration has refused to negotiate in good faith with its employees — all while staffing levels continue to hemorrhage. Fighting for the community’s access to road crews, public health nurses, children’s social workers, and other vital county services, County workers feel that the situation has become untenable.

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Join SEIU 1021’s Lavender Solidarity Committee at Oakland Pride: September 9 & 10!

Members of SEIU 1021’s Lavender Solidarity Committee will be out and proud at Oakland Pride from September 9 to 10! 

SEIU Local 1021 is a proud sponsor of Oakland Pride.

“I hope SEIU 1021 members actively participate in Oakland Pride this year. We are expecting a bigger contingent than we’ve had in previous years and a livelier booth at the festival,” said Eileen Berkun, chair of the Lavender Solidarity Committee. “We want people to have fun while we showcase our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.”

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Asian Health Services workers vote unanimously to authorize strike
Administration's inaction on staffing concerns pushes workers toward drastic action

After eight months of stalled negotiations and delays, SEIU 1021 members at Asian Health Services (AHS) voted by 100% to authorize a strike if their bargaining team calls for one. Over 80% of the chapter’s membership voted.

A nonprofit agency that receives federal HHS funding, AHS provides primary, mental health, and dental care and case management to over 50,000 patients, most of whom are low-income and many of whom are immigrants and refugees.

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San Francisco Starbucks workers win landslide union election
The store on 9th & Irving is San Francisco’s second Starbucks to unionize in recent months

Last week, Starbucks workers at the 9th and Irving store in San Francisco, California, won their election for union representation by a landslide. They voted YES for their union by a count of 13 to 5. This is the second San Francisco Starbucks to win a union election, after the Castro Starbucks location, which voted to form a union a year ago.

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Asian Health Services workers march for fair wages and quality care

On August 11, 2023, Asian Health Services (AHS) staff united in a march from their main Chinatown clinic to AHS headquarters. Chants of “Shame on You!” echoing through the streets, AHS workers conveyed their frustration over stalled contract negotiations for fair wages and benefits.

Dr. Star Yang, a doctor at AHS, highlighted the teamwork that drives their mission. “AHS staff are my community. Work wouldn’t be as fun without them, and I actually cannot do my job without them! We are a team, and we need all members to function well.”

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Felton Institute workers and community rally to demand critical health and safety improvements and a fair contract
Management’s refusal to address ongoing safety concerns, negotiate a fair contract, and stop interfering with their employees’ union organizing efforts have workers and SF Supervisors furious

Last Thursday, August 10, at noon, Felton Institute workers and concerned community members rallied outside of the Felton Family Development Center to demand management address their ongoing concerns about the health and safety of staff and clients at Felton sites. They also presented a petition for these changes that has garnered hundreds of signatures.

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San Jose fast-food workers rally for higher wages and improved working conditions

Fast-food workers in San Jose gathered in a powerful display of solidarity, demanding higher wages and better working conditions on August 2, 2023. The rally was organized by a coalition of local labor unions and advocacy groups, including SEIU Local 1021 and the Fight for $15 & a Union campaign. It drew a diverse crowd of employees from various fast-food chains. Demonstrators voiced their grievances against the persistent issues of low wages and poor working conditions that have plagued the industry for years.

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Help fight off a Bay Area traffic nightmare
Tell your elected official to support SB 532 to keep transit safe, accessible, and reliable

Public transit systems in the Bay Area, including AC Transit, BART, and SF Muni, are facing a fiscal cliff due to declining revenues from riders. Without an infusion of revenue, these agencies will be forced to implement drastic cuts that will hurt Bay Area residents who depend on public transit, harm efforts to reduce air pollution, and cost SEIU 1021 members at Muni and BART their jobs.

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Public Employment Relations Board rules San Francisco City & County workers have right to strike
The Board struck down provisions in the city charter prohibiting strikes

On July 24, the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) struck down provisions in the San Francisco City Charter that violated city workers’ rights. 

On the list of violations: prohibiting city workers from striking; requiring termination of striking city workers; and stripping workers rehired after striking of their seniority.