SEIU Local 521

From the heart of Silicon Valley, to the Coast, and to Central Valley, we kicked off the election campaign on Saturday, Sept. 10 with a large turnout of several hundred volunteers in San Jose, Salinas, Santa Cruz, and nearly 1,500 people gathered in Fresno, including SEIU 521 and SEIU 2015 union members.
Come back soon for more local endorsements. In the meantime, please check out our State endorsements.

“These issues are very important for our community, and it feels good to be involved and to get the word out.”
— Madeleine Clyde, Senior Accounting Technician for Child Support Services of Santa Cruz County and SEIU 521 member for 25 years.

Faith in the Valley

Members with SEIU Executive Vice President Luisa Blue
More photos and videos here.

In Fresno, nearly 1,500 Central Valley community members including SEIU 521 and SEIU 2015 union members, gathered with elected officials, candidates, faith leaders, community partners in Downtown Fresno on Saturday to inspire change.
With PICO National Network (People Improving Communities Through Organizing), we are standing together for a NEW vision rooted in racial, economic, and environmental dignity for all during this critically important election year.
Media Coverage:

In San Jose, we had the largest turnout of volunteers for the past 53 years according to Fred Hirsch, union member with Plumbers and Fitters Local 393.

SEIU 521 Members and staff ready to get the word out in San Jose
More photos here and here.

A couple of hundred volunteers dedicated their Saturday to get the word out about labor-friendly candidates and measures that will benefit working families, including:

Opportunity to Work (Measure E)
Ash Kalra for California State Assembly, District 27
Sergio Jimenez for San Jose City Council, District 2 (SEIU 521 Member)
Helen Chapman for San Jose City Council, District 6

“I’m here to support the right thing for the public and the right thing for unions. If we can bring both of those entities together then we can stand against the 1 percent.”
— Trina Moehring, Legal Clerk For District Attorney Office of Santa Clara County

In Salinas, volunteers were walking precincts and phone banking for:

Hillary Clinton for President
Kamala Harris for U.S. Senate
Yes on Proposition 55
Measure L (Salinas) would tax cannabis cultivators up to $25 per square foot, and up to 10 percent on dispensaries, generating $1-2 million a year.
Measure X (countywide, requires two-thirds to pass) would add a three-eighths-cent sales tax to purchases for 30 years, generating about $20 million a year for transportation and road projects.
Measure Y (countywide) would tax cannabis cultivators $25 per square foot.

SEIU 521 Members and Staff with Brian Contreras for Salinas City Council
(Third on last row, from left to right)

In Santa Cruz, volunteers were joined by Sandy Brown and Chris Krohn, who we endorsed for Santa Cruz City Council.

“I came out to support Measure D, which is important particularly for my department, public works in Santa Cruz. It will help improve our community – improve roads and traffic congestion. I also came out to support my union, which I think is vital for fair business practices, and to give a voice to people.”
— John Hawklyn, Departmental Information Systems Analyst for Santa Cruz County Public Works and SEIU 521 member for 10 years.

We walked for: