Local 221 FAQs

 What is Local 221?
SEIU Local 221 is the newly chartered SEIU public services local in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Local 221 unites members of former Locals 535 and 2028—a combined membership of nearly 12,000 workers in local government, schools, public non-profits and public health care.

How did this new union come about?
SEIU members voted at the 2000 SEIU convention to engage in a process across the country of reorganizing local union jurisdictions to create stronger local unions by ensuring that they are large enough to have the resources needed to represent workers effectively and to focus locals in a single industry—in our case, public services. That vote was reaffirmed by a vote of the members at the 2004 SEIU convention in San Francisco. Hearings were held in California in March and April of 2006 where hearing officers asked members throughout the state to give their opinions on what structure would make our union stronger and produce bigger wins. The hearing officers issued a decision which was adopted by the SEIU Executive Board in June and approved by a margin of 88% in a vote of all affected members that culminated on October 6, 2006.
 
Why change now?
Public employees in California are increasingly under attack. Our pensions and our retiree health benefits are constantly being threatened. Rising health care costs are bringing down our standard of living. Budget cuts at the federal, state, and local level put our services at risk, and outsourcing threatens our job security.  
Wages and benefits are declining in California and across the country where labor is not strong. If we don’t take bold action to make our union stronger, we will continue to see our wages, benefits and job security eroded.
 
How will this new union make us stronger?
We will be in one union with county, city, non-profit, health care, and schools workers. Employers will no longer be able to pit one local union against the other where we share common jurisdictions. We will also have a stronger voice at the bargaining table, in the community, and in the political arena.
What difference will this make when dealing with problems at the worksite?
The plan is to develop stronger worksite leaders and staff partnerships so we can more effectively develop strategies that work and take action. Having additional resources and input from members will enable us to identify and examine what is and what isn’t working.

Will the new union be democratic?
Yes. Members will continue to elect their own stewards, officers, and negotiators and have the ability to approve or reject their own contracts.

Will my contract be affected?
No. All SEIU contracts with employers will remain in place and will be enforced. Members will not lose any benefits, pay, or other protections as a result of the unification of our locals into one.  We will work with our lawyers to make sure that all contracts are transferred to the appropriate new local.
 
Will my dues change?
Your dues will remain the same until members of the new local vote on a new dues rate. Leaders of the new local will review all existing dues structures and make recommendations about a new structure and a democratic process for implementing it.
 Will we still have local offices and staff?
Yes. With member imput, continue the process of deciding on the vision for our new local and on the programs and structures needed to achieve that vision. Our new local will be housed at the old Local 2028 offices, 4004 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego.
 
How will our representation be affected?
Stewards and staff are still available and bargaining will continue. Beginning in March of this year member leaders and stewards will be reviewing all the programs of 535 and 2028 and will be making recommendations to the entire membership.
 
How can I participate in the process of shaping the priorities and vision for Local 221, my new local union?
We want you to participate. In March, we will embark on a journey full of opportunities for you to share your ideas and set the priorities to win more for our families and the communities we serve, and there will be many opportunities to get involved, as it will take all of us to make our union the best it can be.
Get all of the information you need and share information by talking to your co-workers, attending worksite meetings, checking the worksite bulletin boards, checking the SEIU221.org website for regular updates, and becoming a steward, Member Political Organizer or Member Community Organizer.
 
How do I contact the union now?
Your worksite steward is still your first line of information and support. Contact your steward if you have a worksite problem, want more information, or want to get involved. If you need to contact someone at the union office, call you can call 858-560-0151 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

I did not vote for this, why should I support it now?
We understand and respect not everyone supported the restructure. However, the reality is if we are going to achieve our goals and truly affect change, we need to come together to fight for the issues that impact us like health care, stronger contacts, a better future for our children, and secure retirement. For this to work, we need to fight together and work together.