Press Releases
Press Releases
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Cal Academy of Sciences Workers Vote to Unionize in Landslide Election
After many months of organizing, workers voted by 77% to form their union, Cal Academy Workers United, with SEIU Local 1021
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
SAN FRANCISCO – Roughly 350 employees of the California Academy of Sciences will now have a union, Cal Academy Workers United, following a high turnout National Labor Relations Board election that saw 77% of eligible workers voting, of whom 77% voted yes. Votes were counted Friday, July 21.
SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford’s statement on the 6/30/23 Supreme Court decisions:
As you’ve probably heard by now, two devastating decisions were passed down by the United States Supreme Court today that further establish its regressive, harmful attitudes and policies toward the people of this country.
With another disastrous ruling, the Supreme Court undermines equity and opportunity for people of color
Statement on Supreme Court decision on Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina (UNC) and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College by SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford
One year after attacking women’s right to self-determination, today the activist conservative majority of the Supreme Court has once again proven its contempt for Black and brown people in its decision on the Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina (UNC) and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College case.
Mendocino County Workers to Flood Board of Supervisors Budget Hearings, Demanding They Prioritize Services & People
The Board of Supervisors has once again failed to appropriately prioritize cost-of-living adjustments and equity adjustments in their new budget, despite the ongoing staffing crisis that is harming county services
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES. 6/6**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo,
jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201, or
Ian Lee, ian.lee@seiu1021.org, (510) 384-7165
Cal Academy of Sciences Workers File Petition for Union Election with National Labor Relations Board
A supermajority of eligible employees, from biologists to guest experience workers, have signed union authorization cards
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/25/23**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Hayward Unified Schools Classified Workers Protest District’s Failure to Provide Affordable Healthcare at School Board Meeting
The district’s failure to make health insurance affordable for its lowest-paid employees is driving a staffing crisis that endangers students and staff alike
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WED. 5/24**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
SEIU 1021 expresses full solidarity with Oakland Education Association Strike
Statement from SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford
“On behalf of our 60,000 members across Northern California, including classified staff working hand in hand with educators at Oakland Unified School District, SEIU 1021 expresses our full solidarity with the Oakland Education Association strike.
California College of the Arts Students Walk Out in Protest of Layoffs; Faculty & Staff Join for Noontime Rally
CCA administration recently announced that they will lay off frontline staff who work directly with students and keep studios and labs open without demonstrating that they have made every effort to balance their budget in other ways
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURS. 4/27**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
On Eve of César Chávez Day, California Academy of Sciences Workers Announce They Are Forming a Union
After voluntary recognition from the employer or a union election, Cal Academy Workers United will join the De Young, the Exploratorium, the Asian Art Museum, and the Legion of Honor as a chapter of SEIU Local 1021
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Statement from SEIU 1021 SFUSD Chapter President Rafael Picazo on District’s Failure to Submit Correct Tax Information to State
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Hundreds of Sonoma County Workers to Rally at Board of Supervisors as Contract Expires
A settlement for 2300 County workers remains distant as County administration refuses to take adequate measures to address retention and recruitment
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES. 2/28**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, (510) 710-0201, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org
SF Unified Schools Classified Staff Protest Short Staffing & Low Wages at School Board in Rally with Educators
Severe short staffing has SFUSD classified workers like custodians, nutrition service workers, and clerical staff carrying unsustainable workloads. Low wages, poor working conditions, and ongoing payroll problems underlie the crisis.
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES. 2/21**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Hundreds of Alameda County workers and community members picket to say “Alameda County: STAFF UP NOW!”
On Monday, February 13, hundreds of Alameda County workers and community members rallied at Lake Merritt Amphitheater to protest the nearly 25% vacancy rate in the County, with 2,611 unfilled positions. The rally started with a moment of silence for Richard Valle, a longtime champion of labor and progressive causes across the East Bay, who recently passed away. The workers planted flags to represent the 2,611 vacancies, and marched to 1221 Oak St. to deliver a letter demanding the Board of Supervisors solve the staffing crisis.
Hayward Unified Schools Classified Staff Rally for Healthcare at School Board
Currently, HUSD staff receive no healthcare benefits – an untenable situation that is exacerbating a staffing crisis and causing significant hardship
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
“If nothing changes, there will be nobody left to do this work.”
In the face of Alameda County’s 2,611 vacant positions, county workers and community members will rally and picket Monday, February 13 at 11 a.m. at Lake Merritt Amphitheater (near 12th St. and Lake Merritt Blvd.)
Oakland, CA – To protest 2,611 vacant positions – nearly 25% of the entire County workforce – Alameda county workers and community members will picket on Monday, February 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland. The vacancy crisis, the workers say, is coupling with increased demands for services and causing dangerous backlogs in critical departments including Children and Family Services, Aging and Adult Services, Welfare Benefits Administration, Child Support Services, Healthcare Service, Mental Health Services, and WIC (Women, Infants and Children).
San Francisco Supervisor “Fed Up” with Failure of City-Funded Nonprofit to Address Charges of Union-Busting and Threatens Subpoena
Nonprofit workers applaud move to hold Felton Institute accountable for unlawful, anti-union activity after agency management is a no-show at a recent Board of Supervisors’ hearing
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Contact: Carlos Rivera, carlos.rivera@seiu1021.org, (415) 378-2376
SFUSD Classified Staff Rally at School Board, Demand Urgent Action to Address Ongoing Payroll Debacle and Staffing Crisis
A year in, the district’s broken payroll system is still shortchanging its lowest-paid workers, who are buckling under staggering workloads as their peers leave for better-paid positions
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES. 1/24**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Sonoma County Workers Rally at Board of Supervisors to Demand Action to Address Severe Staffing Crisis
Short staffing is jeopardizing critical public services and endangering residents – and frustrated county workers are speaking up.
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUES. 1/24**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
SEIU 1021 Congratulates Mike Hutchinson on Oakland Unified School District Board of Education Victory
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/30/23**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201
Statement from SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford: “Late Wednesday, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters announced that SEIU 1021’s endorsed candidate for Oakland Unified School District Board of Education District 4, Mike Hutchinson, is the legitimate winner of that race.
Mendocino County Workers Ratify One-Year Contract with Plans to Hold County Accountable for Improved Process & Information Flow for Future Agreements
The new contract, which was approved by over 90% of voting members, includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment and a one-time $3000 ARPA stipend, as well as larger improvements for certain severely understaffed classifications
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/12/22**
Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org, (510) 710-0201