Media Advisory
June 24, 2015
Contact: Khanh Weinberg (408) 921-0098
Santa Clara County workers to announce strike vote result
Unfair labor practices by employer, economic inequality, public safety, labor shortage put #sccountyincrisis
San Jose, Calif. – Santa Clara County workers represented by SEIU Local 521 are voting on Wednesday, June 24, whether to go on an unfair practice strike on June 30. Union members and community leaders will announce the result of the membership vote the following day, Thursday, June 25 at a press conference.
The union, with 9,000 members, has been holding many public actions to highlight the multiple crises facing Santa Clara County, but the county is not taking adequate steps to meet the challenges, such as:
- 1 in 3 households in Silicon Valley cannot make ends meet.
- A 35% staff shortage within the 9-1-1 Communications Department.
- A looming labor shortage where 2,000 workers will reach retirement age in 5 years.
Instead of working with front-line workers to implement proposals that put the community first, county management has chosen to interfere in union business; unilaterally eliminate alternate work hours as a form of retaliation; single out SEIU leaders with unfavorable reports; and unilaterally change sick leave policies to scare workers out of striking. SEIU 521 has filed four Unfair Practice Charges (UPC) with the Public Employment Relations Board.
WHAT: SEIU Local 521 members announce result of unfair labor practice strike vote
WHEN: 10 a.m., Thursday, June 25
WHERE: 70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose
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The Service Employees International Union is an organization of 2.1 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. For more information, visit www.seiu521.org
