“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 prove that no season can cool our commitment to each other and to the work we do for the people of California.
Thank you, Unit 15, for another incredible year. Your dedication, unity, and strength have made this one of our most impactful years yet. It is a true honor to serve beside you.
This year has been busy, from building enclosures and changes in working conditions to new incentives rolling out across the state. But through it all, we stood side-by-side, and that solidarity made every win possible. With 4,700 strong in our unit, our power shows when we show up. Every time we take our seat at the table, we prove just how tight-knit and mighty Unit 15 truly is.
I’m especially inspired by our new stewards who stepped up in big ways this year, securing major wins for their worksites. The growth we’ve seen through steward training and development, and the effort to meet members where they are, has been a cornerstone of our strength.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of our standout victories:
- Special Schools: A 10% pay increase plus an $800 monthly stipend (paid quarterly) for those working with some ofour most vulnerable Californians—an enormous win.
- Michael Garcia Peters: Featured in this newsletter for a powerful site win—don’t miss his story!
- Metropolitan State Hospital: Members stood tall to keep working conditions safe.
- Yountville: Leaders raised concerns about heat-related illness in kitchens, showing true care for their coworkers.
- Napa: Members pushed back when custodians were being sent into unsafe basement conditions, putting safety before rushed implementation.
- Side Letter Victory: We protected our 3% raise negotiated in the contract when the Governor tried to take it away—another example of our strength in action.
As we look ahead, bargaining surveys are coming out soon, and town halls for our next contract campaign are just around the corner. Please take time to fill out your survey and attend a town hall near you. Your voice matters, and the bargaining team needs to hear what you want to see in our next contract.
We look forward to sharing more in the next newsletter. If you have something you’d like to submit or a question for the team, email us at [email protected].
Stay warm, stay strong, and stay united.
In solidarity,
Eric Murray
Chair, Bargaining Unit 15