SEIU Local 1021 workers say ‘’our message was heard” after about 300 marched into City Hall April 30. The city workers marched around the rotunda and then visited the offices of Sups Mar, Campos and Kim and Mayor Ed Lee, demanding that health care costs do not increase in ongoing contract negotiations with the city.
The city has already taken pay cuts that the union had been loudly protesting off the table.
“We’re making progress, but not enough progress,” said Local 1021 field organizer Frank Martin del Campo.
He added that “this is the first time to my knowledge a union has militarized during the arbitration process since the process was established in San Francisco.”
The union had stated that they planned to demonstrate until 7:30pm, and then attempt to stay the night in a “Wisconsin-style takeover.” But by 6:30pm, the workers had exited City Hall.
“Our goal was to come and reclaim City Hall,” said Local 1021 vice president Larry Bradshaw. “If they wouldn’t let us in we’d occupy City Hall. They let us in.”
He added that “our members aren’t afraid to get arrested,” referencing an April 18 protest that resulted in 23 arrests.
He said that SEIU will not be on strike for May Day, but many members will be calling in sick and supporting janitors with SEIU Local 87 in their picket at Westfield Mall, scheduled for 11am.
Bradshaw, however, a paramedic. won’t be calling in sick. “I’ll be in arbitration,” he said.