SEIU 1021 Reaches Historic Tentative Agreement with Sacramento City Unified School District
“When we fight, we win! When we fight, students win!” was the mantra of the employees of the Sacramento City Unified School District (“District”) on strike beginning March 23, 2022 for eight workdays, and twelve calendar days. The strike related to various unfair labor practices by the District, including unilateral changes to health and safety protocols that put classified workers at risk.
Both classified staff (including school bus drivers, nutrition service workers, custodians, instructional aides, maintenance workers, and clerical staff), as well as teachers represented by Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) returned to work on Monday, April 4, 2022 after SEIU Local 1021 and the SCTA reached tentative agreements with the District.
SEIU Local 1021’s tentative agreement provides for a 4% ongoing cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to July 1, 2021, thousands in one-time stipends, and improvements to workers’ dental and vision plans. The agreement also provides a re-opener on wages for year three of the contract, school year 2022-2023.
The strike garnered support from community members and parents who staged a sit-in at the Superintendent’s office. Among the strike’s supporters was labor activist and co-founder of the United Farmworkers, Dolores Huerta, who joined the picket line for a day.
For questions regarding negotiations or public sector strikes, contact your labor law counsel.
Author: Abel Rodriguez