Newswire
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.
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.
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.
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.”
SEIU 1021 leaders participate in endorsement process of U.S. Senate race
SEIU 1021 member leaders participated in the SEIU California State Council’s endorsement meeting for the 2024 United States Senate election in California last weekend. They joined SEIU locals and affiliates across California in a show of worker political power.
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.
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.
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.”
Coalition announces creation of ‘Sacramento Forward’ to address housing & homelessness crisis
Tuesday, August 8, 2023, a coalition of labor (including SEIU 1021), community groups, and elected leaders announced the creation of Sacramento Forward at a press conference outside Sacramento City Hall.
Sacramento Forward is a comprehensive policy proposal to address Sacramento’s housing and homelessness crisis. Sacramento Forward has five main prongs:
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.
SEIU 1021 Vice President requests state controller audit of Mendocino County
On Friday, August 4, 2023, SEIU 1021 Region B Vice President Mary Sandberg made an official request to California State Controller Malia Cohen’s Office to conduct an audit and review of Mendocino County’s financial condition. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.
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.
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.
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.
Starbucks workers on cross-country “Starbus” tour rally at San Francisco City Hall
On Monday July 31, dozens of unionizing Starbucks workers on a cross-country “Starbus” tour rallied at San Francisco City Hall. They were joined by fast-food workers with the Fight for 15, SEIU 1021 members, community organizations, and elected officials.
Mendocino County employees vote to authorize strike
On Friday, July 28, SEIU Local 1021 Mendocino County Chapter members voted to authorize their bargaining team to call a strike if necessary. The strike authorization vote passed overwhelmingly, with 92.4% voting yes.
San Joaquin County members shame Board of Supervisors for failing to adopt Juneteenth
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, SEIU 1021 members returned to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors meeting chambers to deliver a message: “Shame on you.”
Asian Health Services members turn out in huge numbers to strike school
Asian Health Services strike school on July 20 was a huge success, with over half of AHS SEIU 1021 members in attendance. Participants heard important information from SEIU 1021’s legal team and discussed strategies for a successful strike if necessary.
SEIU 1021 AHS members’ recent picket on July 17 had a tremendous impact on the bargaining table, but they’re keeping the momentum going with daily picketing at ALL AHS Sites from July 31 to August 11 between 12 pm and 2 pm.
Support clean air and a healthy climate (and enter to win a t-shirt)!
Submit a comment to the EPA on the proposed standards to cut climate pollution
The time to do nothing is long gone. With ever-growing examples of climate change’s harmful effects, it’s clear the consequences disproportionately affect working people and people of color. SEIU members, families, and communities are directly impacted by the threats of air and water pollution and extreme weather events.
Power plants are responsible for approximately 25% of the climate pollution that threatens our health and the health of our families, communities, and environment.
United Felton Workers demand management stop risking the health and safety of children, staff, and clients
Sign the petition to keep the clients and workers of Felton Institute safe
There are serious concerns about the health and safety of the children and workers at Felton Institute. In the 2022-2023 school year, staff reported several disturbing events across Felton’s Early Care and Education sites that put the health and safety of many at risk. Make your voice heard and demand crucial changes in the workplace to meet the health and safety needs of the Felton community.