Local 1000 response to proposed cuts to state employee compensation

You have read media reports about the budget crisis and the possible cuts to state employee compensation that will be announced in the governor's May revise budget.

I have participated in a number of meetings in recent weeks with Gov. Brown's administration to discuss the state's budget situation. These meetings are ongoing.

Under the previous governor, our input was not sought, in fact, it was dismissed. Under Gov. Brown, we have a seat at the table. We have offered our own proposals to deal with this crisis. 

First let me say that I have made it clear that furloughs are not on the table.

We have proposed to reduce outsourcing by cutting private vendor contracts, eliminating retired annuitants from the state payroll and, if necessary, implementing a four-day, 40-hour workweek.

As you know, the budget process in California is a long, difficult road. As always, I am in there fighting for state workers and the services we provide to all Californians. I will continue to offer additional cost savings measures. I invite you to share your own cost-savings ideas by talking to your steward, your Local 1000 organizer or by clicking here.

I look forward to hearing from you. Together, we will do what's right for our members, our families and all Californians.

Yvonne R. Walker
President, Local 1000

Signature success so far

Brown praises members for exceeding goals in campaign to save vital state services

Our members and staff have collected nearly 24,000 signatures from registered voters to help qualify the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012 for the November ballot.

Our efforts exceeded Local 1000's goal of 12,000 signatures and helped SEIU California reach a union-wide goal of 89,000. The measure, sponsored by Gov. Jerry Brown and a wide coalition of business, labor and community groups, needs a total of 807,000 signatures to qualify.

by Jon Ortiz

We're months from when the real fighting starts, but already the labor union and business interests on opposite sides of a November ballot measure are honing their messages.

"The Stop Special Interest Money Now Act" would ban both unions and corporations from contributing directly to candidates. Both could still fund independent expenditure campaigns to support them.

The measure, which hasn't been assigned a proposition number yet, is especially tough on labor because it would ban all payroll-deducted contributions - unions' primary method of raising money for those independent expenditure committees.

Corporations, by contrast, raise the bulk of their political money from shareholders and executives.

Look for labor to attack the measure as faux political reform that kneecaps unions - and, by extension, the working class - and leaves the power of "the 1 percent" virtually unchallenged.

Read entire article at SacBee.com >>

Members sign on for gov's revenue ballot measure

Local 1000 surpasses 12,000-signature target, collection continues

Local 1000 members and staff have collected more than 15,000 signatures so far--surpassing our goal of 12,000--to help ensure that the governor's compromise proposal to increase state revenues appears on the November ballot.

Our members collected signatures from coworkers, friends and family members as part of a statewide campaign to obtain a total of 807,000 signatures from registered California voters to qualify the governor's revenue measure for the November ballot.

The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012 asks the richest Californians to pay their fair share to help fund public education and vital public services, pay down the debt we owe to schools, and help the state avoid more draconian cuts.

Local 1000 members are working to give voters a chance to decide in November on whether to collect new revenues to fund schools and public safety programs.

If you want to sign the petition, wish to help the signature collection effort, or have other questions, contact the Local 1000 Member Resource Center at 866.471.SEIU (7348).

Contracts issue spur member to political action

What motivates Kim Curry-Goldsby is the connection between our past struggles to get a fair contract and our actions in the community and in political campaigns.

"There is a clear connection between fair treatment for California state employees and fairness and justice for all working families in America," said Curry-Goldsby, a Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery employee from Los Angeles. "That's why I am active within the union, within my local community, as well as volunteering outside the state if needed."

Curry-Goldsby has been an active union member since 1978, long before she worked for the state. She was active in the actors strike in 1980 and has been active in labor issues in the Los Angeles area for many years.

Members take action by collecting signatures for initiative to balance budget

All across California, Local 1000 members and staff are gathering signatures from voters to help ensure that the governor's compromise proposal to increase state revenues appears on the November ballot.

The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012 asks the richest Californians to pay their fair share to help fund public education and vital public services, pay down the debt we owe to schools, and help the state avoid more draconian cuts.

The initiative, which is supported by a wide coalition, is a crucial component in an effort by the governor and Local 1000 to not rely exclusively on cuts to balance the budget.

Primaries set stage for next decade of legislation and services

The 2012 election season will be one of the most important and unpredictable in many years. More than half the assembly seats are open due to redistricting and open primaries. At the same time, we face a ballot initiative that would silence our union's political voice; another would increase revenues to ensure vital state services are funded. More than ever, Local 1000 members stand to win--or lose--based upon their commitment to projecting political power.

"The leaders we elect this year will likely be the leaders we live with for most of the next decade," said Tamekia N. Robinson, Local 1000 vice president for organizing/representation. "Even with term limits, many of the leaders we elect this year will continue in other elected positions in the future."

Congressional, State Senate and Assembly Endorsements Made in Member-Driven Town Hall Process

Sacramento, CA - The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 has announced the results of its town hall endorsement process in several Congressional, State Senate and Assembly races. In SEIU's town hall process, members evaluate candidates' policy positions, listen to them speak, interview them, and then make their decisions. The town halls are open to all members in each district.

Below is a current list of SEIU Local 1000 endorsed candidates: