SEIU Local 521

Santa Cruz County’s push to reduce hybrid work for health care workers defies data — and common sense In an era when Santa Cruz County’s own civil grand jury has labeled local mental health services “underfunded, understaffed and overworked,” county leaders are now pushing a policy that would make conditions even worse: scaling back hybrid work and forcing health care staff into the office more often. Social worker and SEIU Local 521 president Max Olkowski-Laetz writes that the change will exacerbate burnout, drive resignations and undermine services residents rely on — especially as an aging population increases demand. Hybrid work saves employees time and money, improves mental and physical health and significantly reduces turnover, with no added cost to the county, he writes. Reversing these policies would put thousands more cars on Highway 1 and contradict the county’s own climate and equity goals. Health care workers will appear before the board of supervisors Tuesday.

ICYMI: Santa Cruz County is rolling back hybrid work—even as services are “underfunded, understaffed & overworked.” Health workers warn this move will worsen burnout, drive resignations & harm our community. Full op-ed: #[bit.ly/3My0NJx

We're heartbroken by the passing of fellow union member and Social Worker, Alberto Rangel.

A GoFundMe has been created in support of Alberto and his family: gofund.me/f569a9c8e

Encompass, Pajaro Valley Unified School District partnership carries risk, teachers say Following Encompass Community Services' recent partnership with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District to open a handful of early education classrooms while Head Start programs are closed, teachers and parents say they were left in the dark throughout that process.

🚨 Don’t Lose Our Head Start 🚨 SEIU 521 warns Encompass management: ignoring Head Start regulations threatens our grant, disrupts student learning, and sidelines parent voices. Leadership must follow the rules they enforce on our workforce—and put the most vulnerable families first. bit.ly/3LGCoRH
 

ICYMI: Santa Cruz city workers represented by SEIU Local 521 have reached a tentative 3-year agreement with the City. 
✅ 13.5% pay increase
✅ Paid trauma leave
✅ Safer, more sustainable staffing 📖 Read the story → #[bit.ly/3WIShZZ
#SantaCruz #SEIU521 #CityWorkers #LaborNews #StrikeAverted 

📣 Santa Cruz City Workers Win Big! After months of negotiations, SEIU 521 members secured a 13.5% COLA over the life of the contract, stronger safety protections, and the end of mandatory retirement contributions. Together we’re keeping Santa Cruz strong! 💜✊ #SantaCruz #SEIU521 #UnionStrong

📣 $400K missing from a $10M Head Start grant. 91 educators, 200+ families left stranded. Encompass’ non-compliant program puts the entire grant at risk and violates our contract. Our community demands answers & accountability! #SaveHeadStartSCZ #EarlyLearningMatters 

🚨 Retired Fresno County and Fresno Court workers: Don’t wait—submit your FCERA pension ballot! 

Re-elect union-endorsed Trustee Laura Basua, a proven advocate with 12 years’ fiduciary experience and a strong voice for working families’ retirement security. Learn more: seiu521.org/fcera 

Head Start families and staff deserve better! 🚨✨ Encompass's proposed "temporary partnership" with PVUSD raises serious concerns after nearly 100 staff layoffs. Families need continuity and experienced educators, not stopgap solutions. 💪❤️👶 

ICYMI: Santa Cruz City workers voted 96% to authorize a citywide strike! Stay updated on the latest articles: (1) #[bit.ly/48BztTH (2) #[bit.ly/4hinZ9O

🚨 SEIU 521 City of Santa Cruz members vote 96% to authorize a citywide strike! 🚨 Workers are defending essential services—from garbage and wastewater to parks and libraries—while facing harassment, unsafe conditions, and wages 18% below market compared to comparable communities.

County of Kern children deserve safety, not excuses.
Grand jury report available for review here 👉🏽https://seiu521.click/CPSgrandjuryreport

Kern County residents’ care is on the line. Frontline health care workers at Kern Medical are united more than ever to call for real, proven solutions: more staffing, safer conditions for patients and workers, and real investment in the people who provide care every day. #SaveKernMedical

When the wealthy & powerful like Antonio Gracias and his buddy Elon Musk mess around with working people, we refuse to let it slide!

August 5: Join us in Palo Alto for a day of action to expose Gracias and demand he be held accountable! #NoGracias

RSVP 👉🏽 seiu521.click/familiesfirs...

bsky.app/profile/nsla...

DAVID IS RELEASED and with his family! He still faces an unjust felony charge.

While we’re relieved that David is out after three nights in detention, we demand the Trump regime drop the unjust charge against him & end the raids! seiu.co/endraids #FreeDavidEndRaids

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our union sister, and the former Chief Elected Officer of our union, Luisa Blue. We remember and honor Luisa—a trailblazer, nurse, union leader, and fierce advocate for justice.

Rest in power 💜

Yolanda, a special ed assistant, is on the frontlines of Trump’s attack on public education. His latest move to eliminate the Department of Education threatens her job & the students she supports—along with school aides, bus drivers, custodians & educators who keep our schools running.

As the nation's largest healthcare union, we believe healthcare is a human right. Gutting Medicaid will hurt working moms and dads, seniors and people with disabilities. Call 866-426-2631 and tell Congress to keep their #HandsOffMedicaid #SaveMedicaid

Santa Clara County cuts early education program - San José Spotlight Santa Clara County teachers and local leaders are warning of chaos after mass layoffs have decimated a critical preschool program for families living in poverty, known as Head Start.

"Santa Clara County teachers and local leaders are warning of chaos after mass layoffs have decimated a critical preschool program for families living in poverty, known as Head Start."
Read more:
sanjosespotlight.com/santa-clara-...

San Jose congressmembers speak out against Medi-Cal cuts - San José Spotlight Straight from the halls of Washington D.C., local representatives joined forces with Santa Clara County officials Tuesday to defend the most vulnerable against sweeping federal cuts they say could dev...

"Local representatives joined forces with Santa Clara County officials Tuesday to defend the most vulnerable against sweeping federal cuts they say could devastate California’s second-largest public health and hospital system."
Read more:
sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-con...

Taking healthcare from children, seniors and people with disabilities to pay for more tax cuts for billionaires? That’s messed up! Call 866-426-2631 and tell Congress to #HandsOffMedicaid #SaveMedicaid

Lingering VTA strike impacting those most in need as talks with union resume Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 on Thursday held a rally outside the headquarters of the Valley Transportation Authority.

"The dozens of union members were joined by union members from SEIU, the South Bay Labor Council and the president of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 5 from Alameda County."

Read and watch video:
www.ktvu.com/news/lingeri...

The Republican funding bill that Congress passed is bad for workers—it requires billions of dollars in cuts to vital services, putting millions of children, seniors and veterans at risk. The fight to protect the healthcare of 80 million Americans is more important now than ever.

Quote from April’s Keynote Speech at SEIU 2024 convention:
"When our union dares to take on, not just the battles in our workplaces, but the battles in the streets, in the halls of power, and the heart of our democracy, SEIU, we know that transformative change is possible.”

“President Trump’s Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s firing of 1,315 Department of Education workers is an all-out attack on our nation's future and will roll back decades of progress...” April Verrett, SEIU President, Read full statement: seiu.co/43CmK0n

Women have always been the backbone of the labor movement—leading strikes and securing fair contracts. We continue their fight for all workers, while resisting efforts to silence their voices and reverse their progress. #WomensHistoryMonth

We are uniting to demand #HandsOffAmerica - our leaders must not cast a single vote for the MAGA regime’s budget to take away our freedoms, endanger our families and control our futures.

The MAGA regime is pushing a funding bill that will force us to struggle, handing the wealth our work creates to their billionaire backers. Not one vote for this budget #HandsOffAmerica

Medicaid isn’t charity—it’s a right. It keeps families healthy, supports frontline workers, funds special education, and strengthens public services. 77% of Americans agree: We must protect Medicaid. Call 866-426-2631 and make your voice heard!