Unit 15
Allied Service Workers
Who We are
Unit 15 includes civil service custodians who clean various state buildings, laundry workers, supervising cooks, and food services workers in the prisons and other state institutions.
Unit 15 Leadership & Updates:
Unit 15 Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC)
Quarterly Newsletter
Unit 15 Joint Labor Management Committees:
Correctional Supervising Cooks JLMC
Custodians JLMC
Food Services JLMC
Upward Mobility JLMC
Our contract is the agreement between SEIU Local 1000 and the State that outlines our pay, our benefits, and our rights! Our bargaining team is gearing up to negotiate a new contract and what we win depends on how strong and united we are.
Here are the priorities our Bargaining Unit 15 team is bringing to the table:
Strong, Meaningful Raises
- A strong General Salary Increase (GSI) and Special Salary Adjustment (SSA) are essential for fairness, stability, and for keeping experienced staff in our institutions.
- A strong raise is also a sign of respect for the essential work Unit 15 workers perform every day.
Making Differentials PERSable
- Our jobs are physically demanding and often done in harsh institutional environments, which makes retirement security critical.
- Making recruitment, retention, and other differentials PERSable helps with retention, strengthens career longevity, and ensures members can retire with dignity.
Better and Lower‑Cost Healthcare, Dental, and Vision
- Lower premiums and better plan options reduce stress and improve wellness for our families.
- Stronger healthcare, dental, and vision benefits also support retention. Workers stay when their benefits are reliable and affordable.
Staff Wellness
- Heavy workloads, short staffing, and stressful environments take a real toll.
- Wellness means safety, rest, respect, proper staffing, effective training, reliable equipment, and access to mental‑health support.
Inside Unit 15
A Message From the Chair – Spring 2026
As we open our first Unit 15 newsletter of 2026, I want to start with gratitude. Thank you for standing with the team and for the hard work you do for the State of California every day. Your commitment keeps this unit strong, and it sets the...
DLC 707 Secures Win on Improper Work Condition Change
Correctional Supervising Cooks in the CTC kitchen at Lancaster recently stopped an improper work condition change that would have required them to escort inmate workers to and from their worksite. This duty has always been performed by Correctional...
Know Your Rights: Sick Leave (Section 8.2)
As we move through the winter months, temperatures fluctuate and holiday gatherings increase our exposure to seasonal illnesses. It’s common to catch a cold, the flu, or other sickness during this time. Remember, you have the right to use sick...
Metropolitan State Hospital Members Show Up Strong for Bargaining Survey
Unit 15 members at Metropolitan State Hospital came together in a big way for our recent bargaining survey event, hosted by Jesse Aranda and Unit 15 Chair Eric Murray. The turnout was impressive, with more than 70 surveys completed on-site. This...
Unit 15 Wins Major Contracting-Out Case in Oakland
Unit 15 has secured an important victory for our custodians and for the integrity of civil service work. The State Personnel Board’s Executive Officer has disapproved the Caltrans District 4 janitorial services contract at 111 Grand Avenue in...
Unit 15 Q&A: Your Questions Answered
Welcome to our Q&A section! We know members have questions about the contract, steward opportunities, recognition programs, and even shoe allowances. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we’ve received. Q: Are we putting...
February 2026: Unit 15 Food Services (non-CDCR) JLMC Meeting
On February 18, 2026, the statewide JLMC meeting brought together Unit 15 Food Services representatives and State leadership to discuss key issues affecting culinary staff across agencies. Topics included ServSafe certification expectations, Fire...
February 2026: Unit 15 Statewide Upward Mobility JLMC Meeting
Unit 15 employees deserve equal access to career development, training, and upward mobility programs. Many workers, however, do not work at desks and have limited access to computers, email, or online registration systems. Our Union’s Bargaining...
January 2026: Unit 15 Statewide CSC Food Services JLMC Meeting
The Statewide CSC JLMC met on January 21, 2026, to address the growing health and safety challenges facing Correctional Supervising Cooks statewide. Every topic discussed from staffing to food shortages directly affects the well‑being, security,...
Message from the Chair
“Winter is here, time to bundle up, warm up, and rise up!” As the chill of winter settles in, I’m reminded of the warmth we create when we come together. Whether it’s the heat from a shared victory or the fire of solidarity, Unit 15 continues to...
Spotlight on Leadership: Michael Garcia Peters – A True Hero in the Kitchen
When broken equipment threatened the safety and efficiency of the kitchen, one cook didn’t just wait for change—he made it happen. For months, staff had been submitting work orders for malfunctioning griddles and ovens, only to see little to no...
Standing Up for Safety: Eric Bowers Defends Custodians at Napa State Hospital
When custodians at Napa State Hospital were asked to clean up long-abandoned medical equipment stored in a basement known to be infested with mice, rats, and roaches, Eric Bowers didn’t hesitate to act. The conditions were not only unsanitary—they...
Unit 15 Secures Two Side Letter Agreements for CRC Closure
With the upcoming closure of the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, Bargaining Unit 15 has secured two important side letter agreements with the State of California to support impacted members. General Voluntary Transfer Process The...
Vacation Bidding: A Win for Unit 15 Members
One of the best parts of working for the State is taking vacation. Time off gives us the chance to recharge, travel, and for many of our members, visit family. Recognizing how important this is, we fought for and secured language that guarantees a...
Your Safety, Your Power: Taking Action Through the Health & Safety Grievance Procedure
When we talk about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SEIU Local 1000 and the State of California, we’re not just talking about words on paper, we’re talking about tools for action. One of the most powerful tools we have is the Health...
Public Safety Workers Unite in D.C. to Strengthen Strategy and Solidarity
A few weeks ago, public safety workers from across the country came together in Washington, D.C. for a powerful convening hosted by SEIU International’s Public Safety Council. The gathering brought together correctional staff, 911 dispatchers,...
National Justice Convening in Chicago
Eric Murray, Chair of Bargaining Unit 15, was invited to attend the Chicago Beyond 2025 National Justice Convening held October 29–30 in Chicago. This invitation-only event brought together correctional staff, administrators, formerly incarcerated...
One Voice United: Leadership Lessons from Gettysburg to Philadelphia
Earlier this fall, a group of union leaders participated in a leadership development training organized by One Voice United, traveling to Gettysburg and Philadelphia to explore decision-making, leadership under pressure, and innovative approaches...