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
CRC Voluntary Transfer Process (VTP) Agreement Reached
A Local 1000 Bargaining Team — made up of a number of directly impacted employees and the Bargaining Unit Chairs for those Units — have reached an agreement with the State outlining the process, eligibility and support that our represented...
September 2025: Unit 15 Statewide Upward Mobility JLMC Meeting
Unit 15 Statewide Upward Mobility JLMC MeetingSeptember 2025 On September 30, your Union’s Upward Mobility JLMC met with state department leaders and coordinators to discuss career advancement opportunities for BU15 employees. Upward Mobility &...
October 2025: Unit 15 Statewide CSC Food Services JLMC Meeting
Our Union’s Bargaining Unit 15, representing Statewide CSC (Correctional Supervising Cook) Food Services, recently met with CalHR, CDCR, and CCHCS to address various issues affecting our operations statewide. We raised concerns on the following...
Celebrating National Food Service Week
To Our Incredible Food Service Professionals, As we celebrate National Food Service Week, your Unit 15 Bargaining Team would like to take a moment to recognize and honor the dedication, resilience, and hard work you bring to our facilities...
Honoring You on National Custodian Day
Dear Custodians, On this National Custodian Day, October 2, we proudly recognize and celebrate the incredible work of our custodians—our frontline heroes who keep our workplaces clean, safe, and running smoothly every single day. Custodians...
Message from the Chair: Holding Onto the Heat of a Hot Union Summer
Hello Fellow Unit 15, As we begin to say goodbye to the summer season and prepare to welcome the crisp air of fall, I find myself reflecting on the highs and lows of these past few months. One thing is for sure—this was a hot union summer in more...
Celebrating the Retirement of Deborah Donnelly
Cook Specialist II & Correctional Supervising Cook, CDCR – CMF Vacaville (DLC 747) After nearly 12 years of dedicated service, we bid a fond farewell to one of our most steadfast and spirited colleagues—Deborah Donnelly. Hired into state...
Member Benefits: More Than You Might Expect!
In response to the many questions we received following our last newsletter, we want to shine a spotlight on one of the most frequently asked topics: member benefits. Many of you were curious about the added value that comes with your SEIU...
From Fair Share to Fierce Advocate: Jesse Aranda’s Journey with BU 15 and SEIU Local 1000
Nearly two decades ago, Jesse Aranda stood at a crossroads. At the time, he was what many referred to as a “fair share” employee—disillusioned, disengaged, and ready to walk away from union involvement altogether. But a pivotal moment changed...
From Dream to Diploma: Celebrating Our First Graduates of the Custodian to Office Joint Apprenticeship Program
August 21, 2025 — Sacramento, CA We are thrilled to announce a landmark achievement for Bargaining Unit 15 and the entire state service community: the first graduating class of the Custodian to Office Joint Apprenticeship Program! What began...
Victory for Laundry Supervisor II’s at High Desert State Prison: Shoe Allowance Secured with Back Pay
When Laundry Supervisor II’s at High Desert State Prison noticed they weren’t receiving their shoe allowance, they took action. Unsure why the benefit was missing, they reached out to their SEIU Local 1000 Job Stewards for answers. The issue was...
Standing Strong for His Team: Michael Garcia Peters Leads with Purpose at Mule Creek
Corrections Supervising Cook (CSC) Michael Garcia Peters has dedicated nearly eight years to serving the staff and incarcerated population at Mule Creek State Prison. But his commitment extends far beyond the kitchen. In May 2023, Michael stepped...
Eric Bowers: Proud to Serve, Proud to Stand United
Eric Bowers, a union steward at the Yountville Veterans Home and a dedicated member of Bargaining Unit 15, exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and solidarity. Since joining the State of California workforce in 2020, Eric has been a...
Unit 15 Hosts Empowering Vacation Bid Training for Correctional Supervising Cooks
On August 21, 2025, Unit 15 leadership proudly hosted a specialized training session for all representative Correctional Supervising Cooks, focusing on the vacation post-in-bid process outlined in our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This highly...
SBAC Summer Meetings Recap: Empowering DBURs and Launching Union Connect
The SBAC meetings held on July 19 and 20 were a resounding success, bringing together our dedicated DBURs for two days of education, collaboration, and exciting updates. One of the key highlights was an in-depth training on the Side...
Upcoming Virtual Info Sessions on the Closure of California Rehabilitation Center (CRC)
Our Union will be hosting Zoom informational sessions to provide information about the current closure phase and what impacted employees can expect this Fall. The meetings will be held on the following dates and times: Thursday, October 9th from...
Honoring Our Security Guards on National Security Guards Day
To Our Dedicated Security Team, On this National Security Guards Day, your Unit 15 Bargaining Team proudly recognizes and celebrates you—our security guards—whose vigilance, professionalism, and commitment help keep our workplaces safe and...
Unit 15 Upward Mobility Committee Questionnaire
Are you ready to move up, grow your skills, and take your career to the next level? So are we — and we’re fighting to make it happen. The Unit 15 Bargaining Team and the Upward Mobility Committee are gearing up to talk with the State about...