Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "seiu"

Local workers join nationwide movement with Occupy Sacramento

2011-10-07T01:10:23Z

Protesters took to Cesar Chavez Plaza Thursday to fight what they say is the richest 1 percent of Americans controlling 50 percent of the country’s wealth – and they plan to “occupy” Sacramento for at least a week.

“I’m out here to fight for the people so we can get power back from the corporations,” said Neph Garcia, a diesel mechanic from Woodland.

“The 1 percent is making the decisions, and the 99 percent suffers from those,” he added. “We have to be free from corporate decisions. The politicians are pretty much their puppets.”

About 300 protesters with Occupy Sacramento assembled at Cesar Chavez Plaza downtown on Thursday morning before setting off on a march around the Capitol, chanting slogans such as “banks got bailed out, we got sold out.”

Police on horseback and bicycle kept watch over the marchers, occasionally blocking traffic as they crossed streets. Protesters stayed on the sidewalks, as they did not have a permit to demonstrate on the streets.

Christopher MacDonald, a spokesman for Occupy Sacramento, said there is no set time for the occupation to end, and the idea is to raise awareness of the issue as well as stand in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street group and others like it across the country.

Occupy Sacramento is not directly affiliated with other groups around the country, he added.

Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Andrew Pettit characterized the protests as peaceful, estimating that on Thursday afternoon the number of people demonstrating at the plaza was around 150 or 200.

“They’re obeying the traffic signs and rules, they’re not disturbing businesses and they’re even staying in the crosswalks,” he said.

Earlier in the day, some demonstrators tried to enter a couple of banks, but the doors were locked, and no demonstrators got in, Pettit said.

By Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made, and no additional police patrols were called in.

“We’re using our existing patrols and diverting some of them downtown,” Pettit said.

Sacramentan Pedro Leon, who operates a printing press for the California Department of Justice, said he came out to show his support for the movement.

“Enough is enough,” he said. “We thought we sent the message when we elected Obama and others, but that message is not being heard.”

Leon said the ultimate goal, as he sees it, is to allow Americans to once again embrace the American Dream.

“It’s no longer what my parents had,” he said. “Then, a father could work and support his family comfortably. Now, you can’t even do that with two incomes.”

Other protesters said they shared the frustration of their compatriots in other cities, with Sacramentan Jacob Mendez, a student assistant, saying the U.S. economy is “one-sided” and characterizing big business as “corporate fascists.”

Sacramento stay-at-home mom and activist Krystin Leonhardt said she is upset that oil companies, banks and big agriculture businesses are “posting record profits” while schools can’t afford supplies.

“I’d like to see our government recognize that they represent us, not corporations with big money,” she said. “People are starting to take power, and they’re realizing there’s power in numbers.”

According to the Associated Press, labor unions joined the fray Wednesday when they gave their support to the activists.

The Local 1000 chapter of the Service Employees International Union supported the Occupy Sacramento movement.

"I encourage everyone to support these demonstrators in Occupy Sacramento and Occupy Wall Street because we need an economy that supports middle class families," Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker said in a press release.

"The Occupy Wall Street movement has done a great job of drawing attention to income disparity in this country and the need to create middle class jobs,” she added. “We need to do what we can to support them here in California."

The union represents about 45,000 Sacramento-area workers, and SEIU spokesman Jim Zamora said between 12 and 20 union members were staffing a tent and first aid station throughout the day, handing out water and other items to the protesters.

“It’s not a Democrat or a Republican issue,” said Diana Bennett, a protester from Roseville who works as a bookkeeper. “People are really standing up to the corporate money running this country. We’re fighting to get it back.”

Cesar Chavez Plaza closes at 11 p.m. and reopens at 5 a.m., according to Pettit. Demonstrators may be cited or arrested if they stay in the park while it is closed.

MacDonald said protesters planned to stay in the park and were talking with police on Thursday afternoon.

“We want to work things out,” he said, “but this is a full occupation, so we want to stay.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

United Farm Workers & Union March: Soles for SB 126

2011-09-05T04:48:02Z

Reminiscent of Cesar Chavez's 300 mile pilgrimage from Delano to Sacramento in 1966, more than 5,000 farmworkers, their families, and supporters marched the final steps of a 13-day, 167 miles pilgrimage through California’s Central Valley, to the north steps of the capitol on Sunday, September 4, 2011. The farmworker's call to action is for Governor Jerry Brown to sign SB 126, a bill that would make it easier for farm workers to join unions and speak up for fair labor rights.

The last leg of the walk for civil liberties in Sacramento began at Southside Park at 10am and ended with an urging of support for Governor Brown to sign the bill that is making its way through the California Legislature.

SB 126 penned by Senator Darrell Steinberg includes a revised version of the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act (SB 104), a bill that would have made it easier for farm workers to join a union and speak up for their rights, previously vetoed by Gov. Brown and legislation to would allow farm workers the right to be paid overtime after 8 hours of work per day.

This comes at a time when safety conditions for the state's nearly 400,000 agricultural workers who spend long days in the hot sun each summer to harvest fruits and vegestables is at its worst. At least 16 California farm workers have suffered from heat related deaths since 2005 and State Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating two other California farm worker deaths - one in April in Imperial County and one in June in Riverside County.

Francisco Estrada, a migrant farm worker recalls the last day of his wife's life, Lillia Estrada while working in the farms. “She complained of dizziness. The ambulance did not come until an hour later”, a translator noted in Spanish. “We came in as two and I came out as one.” There is not a day that passes where he does not think of his wife and the two sons she has left behind.

“There will come a day, when farmworker rights will be left at the hands of our children,” Becky Chavez, the daughter of Richard "Ricardo" Chavez urged in her speech.

The philosophy of The United Farm Workers, brothers Richard "Ricardo" Chavez and Ceasar Chavez’s legacy continues. The movement behind the Delano Grape Strike of 1966 still continues. Equity has not been reached for low paid workers as long as the struggle by farm workers continue.

Watch the her very moving speech by clicking here.

Today, unions appear to be the vehicle of choice to level the playing field for low paid workers otherwise deemed silent. Fewer than 5% of the farm workers have the protection of union contracts. A day before labor day, the walk is symbolic of those farm workers who continue to struggle for their rights to unionize and receive equitable labor practices.

Organizers say they want Americans to know that the fresh food we take for granted on our tables were hand picked by human hands.

"My grandparents were farm workers. My dad started out working in the fields. I'm here because I understand the importance of these jobs especially for immigrants and their families. These are hard jobs and the people who work these jobs...deserve more protection, " urged Rebecca Gutierrez, 23 a student from Fresno State.

This week at the Capitol

2010-08-16T01:48:40Z

Tuesday, Aug. 17
7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary will have a fundraising bake-sale on the North Steps of the Capitol. Early in the day, a member of the nonprofit will be passing out fliers for the bake sale on the South Steps.

5 - 7 p.m. SEIU will have a rally on the West Steps of the Capitol. About 600 people are expected to attend.

Capitol events this week!

2010-08-02T04:25:17Z

Monday, Aug. 2
6 - 7 p.m. God’s Next Level Ministry will lead a prayer for state leaders and the government on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 30 people are expected to attend.

Tuesday, Aug. 3
Noon - 3 p.m. The California School Employees Association will have an education rally and picnic on and around the North Steps of the Capitol. Around 3,000 people are expected to attend.

11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. SEIU will have an informational rally in the DMV Plaza. Around 150 participants are expected.

This week at the Capitol!

2010-06-30T03:20:20Z

Wednesday, June 29
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Service Employees International Union Local 1000 will have a rally with the theme of, "We Are California" on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 5,000 state workers and supporters are expected for the event.

12 - 1:15 p.m. The Service Employees International Union - United Service Workers West will have a press conference on the South Steps of the Capitol. Around 50 people are expected to attend.

Sacramento Democrats Oppose West Sacramento “Gang Injunctions” and Urged the Governor to Abide by the Contract He Negotiated with SEIU

2009-08-13T01:03:15Z

The Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC) voted to endorse a resolution opposing West Sacramento’s “Gang Injunction” because it permits law enforcement authorities to act without evidence of wrongdoing. The “Gang Injunction” allows West Sacramento police to arrest individuals for associating with gang members – even their family members. It also allows West Sacramento police to abuse Sacramento’s sovereignty and arrest people in Sacramento who have violated no Sacramento law.

DPSC member and California Democratic Party Executive Board member, Christine Thomas said, “Wrongful prosecution, accusations, and tracking individuals in databases for the rest of their lives without providing the protections of due process is something we must all guard against. In recent years, we seem to have forgotten the importance of our civil rights and liberties and they have too often been ignored and disregarded.”

In addition, the DPSC unanimously voted to urge that the state of California abide by state law in their negotiations with the SEIU and honor the contract that Governor Schwarzenegger negotiated with SEIU earlier in the year.

The DPSC is proud to support the Stonewall Democrats efforts to assemble a team and raise money to support the Central Valley AIDS walk.

SEIU Rally Brings Thousands to Capitol

2009-07-02T06:06:58Z

On Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., approximately 2,000 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) gathered on the west steps of the Capitol in a powerful end to Tuesday's outcry rally over the state’s budget decisions, which would cut the salaries of state workers by 15 percent.

A giant screen was set up to project the image of the speakers. Tents were scattered providing first aid, food and information on how to contact the governor. Participants sat on the grass and milled around, but once Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker took the stage, most remained standing to listen intently to her words.

Walker addressed SEIU's grievances with the state legislature's handling of the budget. She spoke about the issues that have not been taken into consideration by the state, such as SEIU's proposed contract that would have saved $340 million, or their identification of the 34.7 million dollars allocated for private vendor contracts. She reminded the crowd that all departments have been cut by 10 percent, yet people continue to return to work and provide the same services. She also reminded the crowd, to loud cries of indignation, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement of a third furlough day.

"The only thing I have to say is, 'Governor, you were elected to do a job, you have failed, you are not providing leadership to California and today Local 1000 is putting you on notice, and we're not going to take it anymore,'" Walker said.

Speeches finished, members of SEIU took to circling the west steps in a slow march, chanting various slogans of empowerment such as, "We've had enough, we won’t take it no more," "Union power" and the Bob Marley lyric, "Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights."

The sizable turnout featured SEIU members from all over California including Fresno, Redding, Rancho Cucamonga and Oakland.

Lesley Wong, a writer for Caltrans and Oakland resident, noted that the sheer number of bodies the event drew contributed to its success.

"I've been to past rallies, ridden the bus up from Oakland," Wong said. "This one, by far, has been the biggest one we've had that I've been to."

She also expressed that the governor's announcement of the implementation of a third furlough day was a deal-breaker for many state workers.

"It's the final 5 percent extra that pushed everyone over," Wong said. "It's an absolute breaking point. I've got people working with me who are making less money than they were 15 years ago."

In Walker's final address to the members of SEUI, she looked toward the future.

"The next time we come out, I hope to see 20,000 state workers," she said.

The response of the crowd could be heard a block away on L Street.

Balancing the budget topples hopes

2009-07-01T19:16:00Z

On Tuesday evening, hundreds of workers with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) congregated at the steps of the Capitol to voice their frustrations with how the state legislature is handling the budget.

Yvonne Walker, President of the SEIU, opened the rally with a fiery speech about how state workers “are on the tipping point,” with the continued proposals to cut state workers’ pay and adding a third furlough day.

Walker described the two-day furlough already in place for state workers as “the equivalent of one month’s pay.” She explained an additional day of unpaid leave would increase the financial burden on state workers, causing some to lose their homes.

Workers were well aware of this possibility as they walked circles around the Capitol lawn, some waving signs that read, “The future face of poverty.”

The impacts of pay-cuts have had severe effects on the lives of the workers.

“I have two children and I cannot afford a fifteen percent pay cut as a single mother,” said Kendra White, a tax technician. She added, “I already can’t pay my bills,” though the further proposed cuts have yet to be implemented.

Richard Wilcox Jr. is an employment program representative who processes employment insurance claims forms. He attended the protest in solidarity for his fellow workers.

“Some of them are at a point where they are actually filing for unemployment insurance claims forms,” seeking the exact help they provide as a part of their job, he said.

Some of the rally attendees held up signs that referenced the safety and well-being of their children. “I’m having to make choices about my kids being in daycare, and in a potentially dangerous situation” said Angela Ramirez, a DMV employee.

“I had to actually check with child services to see if it was okay to leave her home for a few hours out of the day until the lunch hour when I could come home,” Ramirez said.

She touched on current situations at her office that reflect the effects of the budget cuts on the community as a whole. “We’re backlogged, and customers are disappointed that the services are taking a lot longer.”

These services include filing paperwork dealing with DUI offenders. “Getting drunk drivers off the road is getting longer. The paperwork is taking longer,” she remarked.

“We’re doing a disservice to the community, not only the workers but the state of California,” Ramirez said.

Members of the SEIU have pin-pointed many ways to re-direct pressure off of state workers. “We’ve identified $34.7 billion in private outsourced contracts,” Walker said, hoping that the amount of money pouring into private contracts is reduced.

“One idea which I have,” said Wilcox, “is basically we start taxing oil companies for the oil that they drill out of ca public land.” The same is currently done in Alaska where they “actually make enough money where every year the Alaska state government sends its citizens checks.”

While he does not think the possibility of drilling an equivalent amount of oil in California is possible to generate that income, “it could at least offset the hurt.”

The SEIU planned to have a candle-light vigil and spend the night on the Capitol lawn, but some of the coordinators called it off because it looked like the legislature was not going to be in session that evening.

The protest at the Capitol Tuesday evening was a precursor to today’s rally. The SEIU expects over 2,000 workers to convene at the Capitol around noon to rally against the projected cuts.

What's happening at the Capitol: June 29, 30

2009-06-29T03:36:57Z

Monday, June 29

8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Five people from the California State Parks Foundation will be having an informational display on the north steps of the Capitol.

9-10 a.m. About 100 students from the California 4-H Youth Development program will be taking a photograph near the traffic circle on the west side of the Capitol.

Tuesday, June 30

11 a.m.- Noon California Primary Care Association will be holding a health care rally on the west steps of the Capitol. About 150 people are expected in the rally.

3-5 p.m. The ACLU will be holding a rally on the north steps of the Capitol. About 150 people are expected to participate.

2 p.m. (Tuesday, June 30)- 2:30 p.m. (Wednesday, July 1) SEIU Local 1000 will be holding an afternoon rally Tuesday, overnight vigil and morning rally Wednesday for the state budget. About 8,000 state workers are expected to attend the event on the west steps of the Capitol.

Furlough Friday in Sacramento

2009-02-06T21:37:30Z

From under a tent erected to protect them from the rain, three state workers addressed the media as nearly 30 Service Employees Union International (SEUI) members stood behind to show solidarity, and answer questions.

A few dozen state workers gathered on the steps in front of the Department of Social Services in downtown Sacramento on the first-ever "Furlough Friday."

State worker Rod Gonzalez, a Geographical Information Systems Analyst for the Department of Fish and Game said, "the Governor wants to save $1.3 billion, but [furlough days] will have a negative impact on the economy, costing nearly $3 billion to the state. It's like taking one step forward and two steps back."

One of the keynote speakers, Bridget Jacobo, a Department of Social Services Disability Evaluation Analyst, noted, "I work for a federally-funded program, and the furlough is wreaking havoc on my department because we are forced to take the day off."

DMV worker Roland Becht, who also addressed the public audience, added that "there's no cost saving for the state" in furloughing workers.

"250,000 licenses and registrations will not be processed today," said Becht. "You won't want to go to the DMV on Monday."

Besides, Becht added, "That's going to create a whole lot of overtime. There's another problem created that we didn't even have before."

California's Budget Cap

2009-01-29T04:33:49Z

While riding through the downtown area today I spotted a group of people walking down the street heading toward the plaza. After following them around for a few minutes to investigate, I quickly realized that they were protesters.

This small group of 8 was heading for the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in downtown Sacramento this morning, chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, budget caps have got to go.” I followed these protestors for a block or so, before they finally stopped in front of the conference room at Holiday Inn.

Apparently the legislature was having a meeting in this hotel working on ways to cap California’s budget. There I found out that the protestors were actually part of the SEIU of California. The SEIU says “Don’t lock out our future!”

The Governor and legislative leaders are continuing to deliberate on proposed solutions on our State’s $40 billion shortfall in the budget. The SEIU protestors that I spoke with this morning say that The Governators proposal is for more drastic budget cuts on top of $10 billion in reductions that have already been made to schools, health care, social services, as well as countless other vital programs this year. Adding a rigid budget cap will only force more cuts to education, health care, and other critical services year after year.

“California has been hit hardest by the economic meltdown. Unemployment is skyrocketing, food prices are up, and wages are down. More then ever, we need to protect the vital public safety net that keeps our kids our grandparents, people with disabilities and our communities safe.

”The Governor’s proposed cuts and spending cap unfairly target low and moderate income families, and set the stage for perpetual cuts to schools, health care, and public infrastructure that will damage our economy and quality of life for generations.” said Ben Mendoza

SEIU Protest

2009-01-16T02:31:43Z

Thursday, less than two hours after Governor Schwarzenegger finished his State of the State address, a few hundred members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 gathered to protest on the south steps of the State Capitol.

The SEIU, whose mission is to improve the lives of workers and their families, held seven simultaneous protests against budget cuts for state workers, including gatherings in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

For many California families, problems with our national economy compounds the problems within the state's budget.

Although the crowd was roughly half the size of the previous day's protest, today's chants were louder and led by several protesters using megaphones. The protesters nearly all wore the same purple t-shirt and held the same SEIU sign which read "Value Us".

Tensions seemed to be escalated because of the Governor's presence in the Capital Building, and a handful of police officers on bicycles circled the group.

Yvonne Walker, President of the SEIU Local 1000 was the first of three speakers to address the audience.

When asked when she lost faith in Governor Schwarzenegger, she said, "I lost faith when he stopped governing California, and started governing sound bytes." She made it clear that the SEIU would do whatever they could until the governor fixes the state of the California.

"We can eliminate contracts for private employees who do the same job as state workers do for twice the price" she said in her speech. Her statement "We, are not a strain on the state budget, we are value added," drew loud cheers from nearly everyone present.

Meanwhile, another protester, Tom Stroud, said that recent budget cuts had affected "continuing training for teachers, cut funds to buy new textbooks, and eliminated other education programs entirely."

Stroud, a teacher in the state prison system, explained that he lost faith in the governor in 2005 when Schwarzenegger backed propositions 75 and 76 aimed at cutting state workers' pensions.

Proposition 75 passed, effectively prohibiting union members such as teachers, nurses, and law enforcement officers from voicing opposition to budget cuts. He promises to attend more SEIU protests whenever he could.

As the speeches neared the end, organizers led the crowd into spirited chants such as "Furlough Arnold", "We need California Safe", and "Value Us".

As the crowd dispersed, many stopped by a table where a few organizers handed out sack lunches and soda, a reimbursement to members for spending their lunchtime to protest together.

SEIU came about in the year 1921 when a group of janitors and security officers joined smaller unions in the Chicago area. In addition to being the most diverse union consisting of 56 percent women, the SEIU also represents the largest group of immigrant workers, more than any other union. They are the largest healthcare union in the U.S. and the second largest public services and property services union.

Was anyone there? Did you feel that the crowd was different from Wednesday's protest? Are you a state worker, and how is the budget affecting you? How can we solve the budget?