SEIU Local 521

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Mission and Statement

To Organize, Educate and Develop the Latino people in order to achieve power, respect and social justice for the working class. Organizar, Educar y Desarrollar a la familia Latina para lograr poder, respeto y justicia social para la clase trabajadora.

The goal of the Latino Caucus is to organize, educate and develop Latino and community members’ involvement to achieve power, respect, and social justice for the working class. This caucus promotes an annual Cesar Chavez event, voter registration, and other cultural activities.

History and Purpose

The Latino Caucus was established in the SEIU Western Region in 1992. Our goal is to increase the involvement and participation of Latinos, that is, the Indigenous people of this continent, known as Ixachilan by our native ancestors, in the life of the union. We also recognize, that, with the European incursion into this continent, African slaves were introduced here who then, over the years, mixed with the native people. We honor their contributions to evolving cultures.
Our aim is to enhance the great need for Leadership Development to help prepare our communities to become leaders in our union, such as officers, staff, and heads of locals; to increase involvement in politics and organizing, and to bring those issues important to our peoples into the forefront of our union’s agenda and programs. We strive to promote greater understanding and respect for our people with the diverse membership of our union. We support the just causes of all people in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society and world.

Membership Application

Events and Meetings

MONTHLY CAUCUS MEETINGS
Fresno: 1st Wednesday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. at Fresno SEIU 521 Office, 5228 E. Pine, Fresno, CA 93727.
RSVP at (559) 447-2579 or Julie.Ford@seiu521.org or via MemberLink under the Events tab

San Jose: 2nd Saturday of the month, 10-11 a.m.
Hybrid meeting at the San Jose SEIU 521 Office, 2302 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95131, and via Zoom.
RSVP: SEIU521.Receptionist@seiu521.org or (408) 678-3300 or via MemberLink under the Events tab

Officers

Fresno:
CAUCUS CHAIR – Lorenzo Lambaren, llambaren@yahoo.com, (559) 355-6387
CAUCUS CO-CHAIR – Lucia Sapiens, luciasapiens@gmail.com, (559) 280-1810
CAUCUS TREASURER – Dawn Gallegos, girldawng@att.net, (559) 559) 392-2377
CAUCUS SECRETARY – Jennifer Jensen, jenniferjensen.jj@gmail.com, (559) 704-8384

San Jose:
CAUCUS CHAIR – Rachel Subega, rsubega@gmail.com, (408) 294-4908
CAUCUS CO-CHAIR – Lupe Gutierrez, lupegseiu521@gmail.com, (650) 679-2823
CAUCUS TREASURER – Connie Jimenez, conniejemenez@sbcglobal.net, (408) 799-7404
CAUCUS SECRETARY – Lupe Gutierrez, lupegseiu521@gmail.com, (650) 679-2823

Past Events

SJ Latino Caucus at Fresno’s API Caucus Asian Heritage Celebration, May 11, 2024

San Jose Latino Caucus at the Asian Heritage Celebration Event on May 11, 2024

2024 Mexica New Year in San Jose

Latino Caucus in attendance at San Jose’s 26th Annual Mexica New Year at Emma Prush Park March 15 – 17th, 2024.

2023 Dia De Los Muertos, Fresno Caucus

2023 Mexica New Year in San Jose

SEIU Latino Caucus members participated in the 25th Annual Mexica New Year at Emma Prush Park in San Jose on March 11 & 12th. We had membership sign-ups & merchandise for sale.

2022 May Day in San Jose

SEIU Latino Caucus participated in the May Day march in San Jose.

2022 Mexicana New Year in San Jose

SEIU Latino Caucus participated in the 24th Annual Mexica New Year at Emma Prush Park in San Jose on March 12 & 13th. We had membership sign-ups & merchandise for sale.

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2019 May Day in San Jose
May Day has marked historical victories for workers in the U.S. and around the world including the right to a union, a shorter workday, and other valuable rights. May Day is a celebration of worker victories and what we’ve accomplished so far. However, we still need to keep organizing for social justice, economic justice, immigrant justice, and environmental justice.

2019 César Chávez Celebration
SEIU 521 member leaders and Latino Caucus members organized the 2019 César Chávez Celebration in San Jose on April 6, 2019.
<br>#521SiSePuede.<br><iframe loading="lazy" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSEIU521Region1%2Fposts%2F2081951048509532&width=500" width="500" height="669" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"><br>See the photos from our 2018 Cesar Chavez Celebration in San Jose:<br></p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/> <p><iframe loading="lazy" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSEIU521Region4%2Fposts%2F2153574457993989&width=500" width="500" height="179" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">

Community Outreach – Helping Hand to our Homeless Community
On Sunday, March 5 Fresno Latino Caucus member and allies got together for a community outreach event. We gathered at the union office unity hall to prepare for our community food giveaway to the homeless community in Fresno. At the corner of G Street & Ventura Avenue, in an empty lot, we gave out clothing, blankets and shoes courtesy of members who donated items. The Latino Caucus gave away water and sandwiches, along with snacks that were donated by the Latino Caucus and community members. We were able to provide a quick meal/snack for our local homeless community. We were able to service approximately 50-100 individuals. Many of those who we assisted expressed their appreciation in coming out to assist the community. We expect this to continue as a monthly event in conjunction with other local organizations that also help the homeless community. If you are interested in joining Latino Caucus contact Chair, Lorenzo Lambaren at seiu.local.521.latino.caucus.fresno@gmail.com

Chavez Event Brings Record-Breaking Crowd

Guests at the 2017 Cesar Chavez event were entertained by a mariachi band and folklórico dancers.

SEIU Local 521’s Cesar Chavez Day celebration on April 1, 2017, drew nearly 200 guests, the largest attendance in the 15 years that the Latino Caucus has sponsored the event.
Keynote speaker Chava Bustamante, Executive Director of Latinos United for a New America (LUNA), talked about Chavez’ legacy and how it relates to the labor and immigration fight we’re still waging today.
30 folklórico dancers and a 13-member mariachi band, combined with free food and raffle prizes, were a huge hit, said Latino Caucus Chairwoman Rachel Subega.
“It was one of the best we ever had. A lot of our members are active in the community and have connections with local organizations. Everyone helped promote the event,” said Rachel.

Dia de los Muertos/ Mikailhuitl

Día de Los Muertos is a remembrance of our ancestors, family and friends who have passed on to the Spirit World. We honor their life and their memory on this day. Members, Staff and community are invited to place photos and small objects on the altar which represent something which the departed liked during their Life. Altar is open from Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 2015 at theSEIU 521 San Jose office, 2302 Zanker Rd.

Rachel Subega, 521 Latino Caucus Executive Board Representative

San Jose 12th Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration
On April 4, 2015, SEIU 521 Latino Caucus sponsored the 12th annual Cesar Chavez Celebration in San Jose. The celebration included dancers, speakers, raffles and poets.
Click here for more photos.

2013 Cesar Chavez Celebration in Fresno
2012 May Day March in San Jose and Santa Cruz
SEIU Local 521 members joined a community coalition in a May Day march through San Jose and Santa Cruz in support of human rights, jobs, housing, and health care for all.
Click here for photo slideshow. Learn more about May Day (PDF)
El Dia de Los Muertos 2012 (PDF)
9th Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration in San Jose – 2012
Program and translation in Spanish (PDF)
See the photos.
Caucuses contribute to Fresno’s neediest
The Women’s Caucus and Latino Caucus in Fresno decided to help those in need in their communities.
Read more »
El Dia De Los Muertos / Mikailhuitl – 2011
The SEIU 521 Latino Caucus observed Dia de los Muertos / Mikailhuitl on Nov. 1, 2011. This is an ancient Aztec ceremony honoring and remembering the lives of our ancestors and family who have passed on to the spirit world. We built a COMMUNITY ALTAR at the SEIU 521 office in San Jose.
See the photos
Hispanic Heritage Month (PDF)