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A force for patients and her Union

A registered nurse who spent her 27-year career at Kern Medical Center caring for patients, Carmen Cruise was elected as SEIU 521's first president with this as her candidate statement: 

With members leading the process, we developed democratic bylaws to govern our Union. We have stated our purpose and set our goals. We are in motion. My name is Carmen Cruise and I am asking to be your President.

Carmen died on May 11. Share your thoughts here.

News coverage |  Nurse Alliance Flyer

Photo slideshow - Celebratory picnic in Carmen's honor: May 21

SEIU Local 521

Stronger Together

Five locals (415, 535, 700, 715 and 817) have come together to cover the North Central region by forming one larger, more powerful local. On January 2, 2007, our new local received its charter.

On March 1, 2007, our new local came to life with resources from the other legacy unions and staff was hired expressly for their expertise in publicly-funded work. 

In the hospitals of Stanford, Lucile Packard and El Camino, Local 715 retained jurisdiction, but worked out an agreement for these members to work more closely with UHW. Stanford University, Santa Clara University and private cemetery workers similarly are receiving services from unions that specialize in their industries.

This marks a new beginning for publicly-funded workers including the over 10,000 homecare workers in Silicon Valley. We will be stronger together. SEIU Local 521 represents more than 52,000 workers. We specialize in homecare in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and public sector services from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Central Valley. Our mission is to improve the lives of all workers through economic justice. 

The Advisory Committee met on October 5-7, 2007 and created a new vision statement for Local 521. Read the vision statement  and  poems about "Baby 521" >>
  View the meeting pictures >>
In 2009, we had 2 conventions and a historic vote on November 20, 2009 that brought new bylaws and harmonized dues for our Local:
SEIU 521 Constitutional Bylaws

In a historic election in February 2010, SEIU Local 521 members officially elected our leaders who will guide our Union through 2010 and beyond.

 Meet the first newly elected Executive Board (2010-2013)

Member leaders were initially appointed when we became Local 521 in 2006. Since then, members have finalized a new set of bylaws and held democratic elections.

SEIU 521 is part of SEIU, Service Employees International Union.  The Service Employees International Union  is 1.9 million working people and 50,000 retirees united to improve services and our communities throughout North America. 
Learn more about SEIU International >>

Our local is also part of SEIU, California State Council.

 

 

Contact Information

 If you're having an issue at work, contact your steward first. (Listed under the "stewards" tab on your chapter page.)

  SEIU Local 521 Member Services
SEIU Local 521 member services just got better with the creation of a new team of specialists trained to handle questions and concerns related to contract matters, worksite or disciplinary issues, and grievances.

Members can call the local union office (see numbers below) to reach a Contract Enforcement Specialist Assistant (CESA) who will help members resolve worksite issues, or when appropriate, file a first-step grievance.

CESA's will be working closely with Stewards to make sure members' rights, first and foremost, are always protected.

Home Care: (877) 734-8521

SAN JOSE OFFICE: 2302 Zanker Road San Jose, CA 95131 Phone: (408) 678-3300 Fax: (408) 954-1538	SAN CARLOS OFFICE: 981 Industrial Rd., Suite A San Carlos, CA 94070  Phone: (650) 801-3500 Fax: (650) 595-1930	SANTA CRUZ OFFICE: 517B Mission Street Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 Phone: (831) 824-9255 Fax: (831) 459-0756
SALINAS OFFICE: 334 Monterey Street Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 784-2560 Fax: (831) 757-1863	FRESNO OFFICE: 5228 E. Pine Ave., Fresno, CA 93727 Phone: (559) 447-2560 Fax: (559) 261-9308	BAKERSFIELD OFFICE: 1001 17th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone: (661) 321-4160 Fax: (661) 325-7814
* HANFORD: Phone: (559) 582-3463 Fax: (559) 582-3510	VISALIA OFFICE: 1811 Sunnyside Avenue Visalia, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 635-3720 Fax: (559) 733-5006	* WATSONVILLE: Phone: (831) 724-9415 Fax: (831) 724-9095
* HOLLISTER: Phone: (831) 636-3455 Fax: (831) 636-0787	* Call for appointment	SEIU Local 521

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