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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 service on November 11,...
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 Local 1000...
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 everything. After...
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 as a bold idea...
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 raised during the...
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 into a new role as...
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 powerful voice for...
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 sought-after class...
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 Letter Agreement,...
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 4:30-5:30pm Tuesday,...