2023 Santa Clara County Tentative Agreement
TA Ratification Vote Results
We thank every member for participating in the Santa Clara County Tentative Agreement Ratification Vote. The turnout of members for this ratification was the largest in our chapter’s history, with 62% of members casting votes. The totals were 693 more votes than the last ratification in 2019. We are pleased to announce that the membership overwhelmingly approved and ratified the Tentative Agreement by 82%. In addition, all unit side table TAs were also approved and ratified.
Next Steps For Full Ratification:
The Tentative Agreement will now go before the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for official readings and a ratification vote. Two readings are required prior to approval:
- Reading #1 – Tuesday, August 15
- Reading #2 – Tuesday, August 29
Any member who has questions regarding the process of the ratification vote, including potential challenges, may email the Santa Clara County Elections Committee here: 521.sccoelections@seiu521.org
Your 52-member bargaining committee has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on a successor 3-year contract. This webpage serves as a central hub for all things TA ratification and includes the following resources:
(scroll or select links to maneuver between sections)
– Complete Tentative Agreement + Summary
– Online Wage Calculator
– Important notes before the TA vote
– Ratification Vote Timeline
– Ratification Vote FAQs
Following a major field campaign that involved thousands of members and over 3 and half months of contract negotiations, your 55-member SEIU Local 521 bargaining committee has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the County of Santa Clara that the bargaining committee recommends to SEIU 521 members for ratification. Your bargaining committee is recommending a yes vote.
This TA victory is the result of a member campaign at hundreds of worksite meetings and actions, a bargaining survey that saw greater participation than in past years, workplace rallies, press actions, and the largest strike authorization vote participation in Santa Clara County Chapter history. This TA with the largest economic gains in 23 years and NO TAKEBACKS was only possible because Santa Clara County management and the Board of Supervisors understood we were prepared to strike. We believe this is the most we can get without a strike – and striking would not necessarily guarantee that we would win more. That is why we believe that VOTING YES to ratify this contract is in the best interest of SEIU Local 521 members working at Santa Clara County. As always, the final decision will be made by the membership.
Tentative Agreement Downloads
Per the Santa Clara County chapter by-laws, the complete TA must be available to all members five days before an official ratification vote. The full TA can be downloaded below. A hard copy version is also available for review at the San Jose union office at 2302 Zanker Rd. San Jose, CA.
Online Wage Calculator
The online wage calculator is no longer active. If you have questions, please contact us communications@seiu521.org.
Important Notes Before the TA Vote
You must be a member to vote. Activate your SEIU 521 union membership now.
We must have a personal email address and/or cell phone number on file with permission to text you. Without the correct information, you will not be able to submit an online ballot via email or text. Update your contact information no later than Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023.
TA Ratification Vote Schedule
Ratification Vote (the ratification vote/schedule was approved by members at the Special General Membership Meeting on Friday, August 4)
Vote Starts: Friday., August 4
Vote Closes: Tuesday August 8 at 5 p.m.
All active SEIU Local 521 union members will have a chance to vote on the tentative agreement from Friday, August 4 – Tuesday, August 8, using our online voting system, Election Buddy. Members may also visit worksite voting locations to cast their votes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As part of the ratification vote online, you will be asked to complete two ballot questions, one for the master table, and one for your unit table. To complete your ballot correctly, please ensure you select an option, click submit then confirm your selection on the next page.
The Special General membership meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 4, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Active members are welcome to attend in person at the SEIU Local 521 San Jose Union Hall at 2302 Zanker Rd. San Jose, CA, or virtual via Zoom. Registration has closed.
VOTE RESULTS MEETING/Webinar – Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – 6 p.m.
Your SEIU 521 Santa Clara County Elections Committee will host a TA Vote Results Meeting. The meeting is hybrid, and members may attend in person at the SEIU 521 San Jose Union Hall and via Zoom Webinar. Registration is required to attend:
Ratification Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When Will The Ratification Vote Begin?
*Approval by the SEIU 521 membership at the Aug 4th Special General Membership Meeting:
Ratification Vote Timeline – Opens: Friday., August 4 – Closes: Tues., August 8 at 5 p.m.
All active SEIU Local 521 union members will have a chance to vote on the tentative agreement from Friday, August 4 to Tuesday, August 8, using our online voting system, Election Buddy. Members may also visit worksite voting locations to cast their votes.
The Santa Clara County election committee’s proposed TA ratification vote schedule will be released Tuesday, August 1 for review (published above). It must be voted on by the membership at the Special General Membership Meeting on Friday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m. Only active SEIU 521 members are eligible to attend and vote. Attend in person or via Zoom, register below:
- Zoom registration
- In person registration (SEIU 521 San Jose Union Office, 2302 Zanker Rd)
How Can I Receive A Ballot To Vote/Who Is Eligible?
Only members are eligible to vote on the ratification. Non-members must activate their membership before the close of voting to cast a valid vote. If you are not a member, activate your membership today or visit any worksite voting location to fill out a membership card.
The vote will be conducted electronically via Election Buddy, members will also have the opportunity to cast their online votes at various worksite locations – see schedule. To ensure you receive a ballot the most important thing you can do is update your contact information if your unsure, click here to update your contact info in less than 2 minute
There are two ways of obtaining your ballot to cast a vote if you did not receive one:
- You may visit any worksite voting location, and request your link and cast a vote at the worksite voting location. Click here to view worksite schedule
- Send an email to: communications@seiu521.org include your name and department and note that you did not receive an electronic ballot.
What Are The Lump sum Qualifications?
A one-time lump sum payment of $1,200 within 6 full pay periods from July 27, 2023, Full-time Equivalents, less applicable withholdings to each Union-represented employee and in paid status during the pay period immediately prior to pay period lump sum is made.
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- Extra Help workers shall receive a lump sum amount, less withholdings, based on hours worked for the County beginning June 26, 2023, and ending September 3, 2023, as follows:
- 400 or more hours worked = $1,200.
- 200 to 399 hours worked = $600
- 50 – 199 hours worked = $300 and tiered for Extra Help based on hours worked.
- The payments to Extra Help may occur up to 3 pay periods after payments to coded employees.
- Extra Help workers shall receive a lump sum amount, less withholdings, based on hours worked for the County beginning June 26, 2023, and ending September 3, 2023, as follows: