Union Update Newsletter
Local 1000 Vice President Tamekia N. Robinson named to California Pay Equity Task Force
Appointment reflects leadership on gender equality and economic justice
As a reflection of her unwavering commitment to gender equality and economic justice, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) has appointed SEIU Local 1000 Vice President for Organizing/Representation Tamekia N. Robinson to the California Pay Equity Task Force.
Women Lead the Way
Celebrating Women's History Month
Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924-January 1, 2005) was an early education teacher from Brooklyn who, in 1968, became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. She went on in 1972 to become the first major party candidate for President of the United States and the first woman ever to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
Women On The Front Lines For Environmental Justice
Celebrating Women's History Month
Berta Cáceres (March 4, 1971-March 3, 2016) was a Honduran environmental activist and leader of the indigenous Lenca people there. She led a decade long internationally-waged battle to stop a dam being built on the Gualcarque River, a body of water which is sacred to the Lenca.
Women On The Front Lines Of Social Justice
Celebrating Women's History Month
Fannie Lou Hamer (October 6, 1917—March 14, 1977) grew up poor as a sharecropper in Mississippi, but she went on to be one of the most inspirational leaders of the Civil Rights Era whose fierce activism on behalf of voting rights inspired generations of activists.
PDD & PHDs – Use Them Or Lose Them
Professional Development Days
All employees accumulate two Professional Development Days (PDD) during each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Those days are separate from any other provision afforded under the contract. PDD days are to be used at the employee’s discretion and are to be requested and approved in the same manner as vacation and annual leave. For more information, see Article 13 of your contract.
Women on the Front Lines of Economic Justice
Celebrating women's history month
Frances Perkins, (April 10, 1880- May 14, 1965) became the first woman in the nation to serve in a Presidential cabinet, being named Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Secretary of Labor in 1933 and serving until 1945. She was the principal architect of key New Deal programs including Social Security, unemployment insurance, laws regulating child labor, a federal minimum wage, and the 40-hour workweek.
Local 1000 Celebrates Black History Month
California's African-American Influence
The month of February is a time when America can take a moment to recognize its strongest foundation—its diversity. The fact that everyone in Local 1000 is different and comes from a different background unifies us.
Our Local 1000 Purpose Statement makes it clear that we want to “… give our members—and all Californians—the opportunity to have a good life, live in sustainable communities and enjoy the fruits of social, economic and environmental justice,” just as these African-Americans showed leadership in California:
Building Strong Worksite Representation
Steward training program developing new advocates and leaders
Local 1000 stewards are the building blocks of the collective power of our union. Up and down the state, nearly 1,000 of our members have stepped up to take a pledge to enforce our contract and improve workplace conditions, while engaging their coworkers to become active and support our Union’s pursuit of social and economic justice.
In 2015, just over 150 new steward candidates successfully completed our Leadership Apprentice Program for Stewards (LAPS) program. In 2016, we want to triple the number of LAPS graduates.
Building worksite networks for a stronger union
Teresa Hubbard is standing up to make a difference for all
Teresa Hubbard joined the “1000 for Local 1000” challenge because she is ready to make a stand for herself and her coworkers in her workplace. By joining a Worksite Action Team (WAT), Hubbard and other 1000 for Local 1000 member leaders are gathering strength and creating a solid organizing structure that will put pressure on the state to take our demands seriously as we bargain the 2016 contract—and beyond.
Honoring Leaders Who Moved From Words To Action
A Letter from President Walker
Black History Month gives us an opportunity to remember the accomplishments of ordinary people who recognized that change doesn’t just happen but comes only when we are willing to risk ourselves for justice. Ordinary people exhibiting extraordinary bravery in the arena of civil rights, economic and social justice.
Contract enforcement fight ends in $25K settlement at DPH
State department ignored seniority preferences for overtime assignment
A Bargaining Unit One member received a $25,000 lump-sum settlement in arbitration after a grievance filed with the support of Local 1000 members and staff was denied at every level. The member, a Health Program Specialist I at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), was being denied extra work assignments—Duty Officer Positions–that were rightfully his due to seniority.
Victory ensures safer, healthier working environment for Ironwood LVNs
Temporary relocation caused heat exhaustion, slips and falls for members
Bargaining Unit 20 LVNs working at Ironwood State Prison have been assured of safer and healthier working conditions during prison construction after filing a grievance and ultimately winning a settlement during arbitration.
Pension Foes Look to the Future to Attack Members’ Benefits
Former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and former San Diego Councilmember Carl DeMaio, two failed politicians obsessed with taking away public employee pensions, have withdrawn their 2016 antipension ballot measures.
Bullied Department of Public Health Employee gets New Management Team
Union representation made all the difference for an employee of the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento whose hostile supervisors had made her work environment unbearable.
Governor releases 2016-2017 state budget proposal
“One of our prime responsibilities is the people that work for us.”
—Governor Jerry Brown
Governor Jerry Brown introduced his proposed 2016-2017 state budget on January 7, setting the tone for the upcoming legislative session and for the season of bargaining that will result in a new contract for Local 1000-represented state workers.
A New Year’s Message from the President
Active, engaged members made the difference in 2015
Over the past year, Local 1000 members up and down the state came together to build strength in their workplaces and in their communities, to solve issues that affect their lives and the lives of their families, friends and colleagues.
They organized to build successful campaigns that protected their hard-earned contract rights and their pensions and to improve the lives of all Californians.
Among our accomplishments in 2015:
Union Update Newsletter returns January 6, 2016
Due to the end of the year, the weekly newsletter will be on hold until the new year. Expect it back on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Until then, we wish you safe travels, happy holidays and a wonderful new year.
Collective power delivers results
Union clout fixes delays in SSSB claims
Local 1000 leveraged our collective power to get relief for members at the State Special Schools who were struggling with delays in State Special Schools Benefit (SSSB) funds. SSSB funds are a type of unemployment benefit for employees of the State Special Schools run by the California Department of Education (CDE).
Local 1000 members and staff met several times over the past eight months with department representatives. The union forced management to identify what was causing delays and to find ways to minimize those delays.
Members will make the difference
President Walker announces 2016 contract campaign focus: take action
Local 1000 has launched its 2016 contract campaign with these words from President Yvonne R. Walker: “Our contract will be about the strength and the power of our members to win something amazing.”
Speaking to members statewide on a conference call for Local 1000 stewards and hundreds more who heard the call at listening parties, Walker looked forward to the upcoming negotiations feeling confident about the preparation that’s gone before.
Fighting the growing retirement security crisis
Local 1000 is spearheading a coalition of labor, faith and social justice groups to expand programs that address the growing retirement crisis facing millions of Californians.
Last month, our union cohosted a coalition-building event that released research reviewing this growing crisis and what Californians will face at retirement age without new policies to change the future.