California primary campaign yields success
Members mobilize throughout state for candidates, June races a prelude to tough November election fights
In a show of force, Local 1000 members worked all over the state to successfully elect candidates on June 5 who are friendly to working families and support state services.
Our work in the June primary election is only a prelude to the effort we will need to put forth in order to succeed in November when dozens of state legislative seats will be decided along with crucial ballot initiatives.
"This primary was really the first step to what will be a hard-fought election this fall," said Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker. "Our strong efforts in June have put a us in a better position for November, but our most difficult work is ahead."
In a show of force, Local 1000 members worked all over the state to successfully elect candidates on June 5 who are friendly to working families and support state services.
Our work in the June primary election is only a prelude to the effort we will need to put forth in order to succeed in November when dozens of state legislative seats will be decided along with crucial ballot initiatives.
"This primary was really the first step to what will be a hard-fought election this fall," said Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker. "Our strong efforts in June have put a us in a better position for November, but our most difficult work is ahead."
Two initiatives on the November ballot directly affect Local 1000 members and their families. If Gov. Jerry Brown's revenue measure does not pass, there will be even greater cuts to vital state programs and K-12 education. Another initiative would cripple the ability of state workers to organize politically while giving special exemptions that allow wealthy big business interests to spend unlimited amounts of money in state election campaigns.
Before the June election, 530 Local 1000 members and staff performed 1,561 phone bank shifts, making 64,000 calls. More than 205 members and staff performed more than 400 precinct-walking shifts to visit voters in their homes.
Our efforts paid off. 56 of 59 legislative candidates endorsed by SEIU placed in the top two finishers. Under California's new open primary system, that will guarantee those candidates a place on the November ballot. Those victories include 10 of 11 competitive races that we targeted.
"Elections matter to all state employees," said Blayne Thalken, a Department of Justice employee who walked precincts on June 2. "If we exercise our political strength, we can elect leaders who will listen to us instead of using state workers as political footballs."
For links to media coverage of the June elections in California, click here.
Los Angeles Times: Organized labor took big hits in California and Wisconsin elections
Sacramento Bee: The State Worker: Votes on public pensions fuel calls for statewide change
Viewpoint: GOP Outplaying its Wisconsin Hand
Before the June election, 530 Local 1000 members and staff performed 1,561 phone bank shifts, making 64,000 calls. More than 205 members and staff performed more than 400 precinct-walking shifts to visit voters in their homes.
Our efforts paid off. 56 of 59 legislative candidates endorsed by SEIU placed in the top two finishers. Under California's new open primary system, that will guarantee those candidates a place on the November ballot. Those victories include 10 of 11 competitive races that we targeted.
"Elections matter to all state employees," said Blayne Thalken, a Department of Justice employee who walked precincts on June 2. "If we exercise our political strength, we can elect leaders who will listen to us instead of using state workers as political footballs."
For links to media coverage of the June elections in California, click here.
Los Angeles Times: Organized labor took big hits in California and Wisconsin elections
Sacramento Bee: The State Worker: Votes on public pensions fuel calls for statewide change
Viewpoint: GOP Outplaying its Wisconsin Hand