June was a big month for SEIU 721 members. Our endorsed candidates and measures won by considerable margins in Compton, Riverside, Oxnard and San Fernando. And I just got news of another important victory at the ballot box in Monterey Park, where our members joined with community allies to keep the fire department under local control.
These victories didn’t come easy. Our members rolled up their sleeves and did the hard work needed to win these elections for working families.
One place where we’ll soon see a lot of change is in Compton, where Aja Brown was elected mayor. Mayor Brown is going to make a big difference in the way Compton does business. She really understands the challenges facing our members who live and work in the city. On June 29, SEIU 721 hosted a celebration honoring Mayor Brown’s victory at our headquarters.
In the City of Riverside, our members got a real morale boost with the passage of Measure A, which allows Riverside to maintain funding for public services by continuing to transfer funds from the public utility into the general fund. Our members were instrumental in getting a different but equally important Measure A passed in the City of San Fernando. This temporary half-cent sales tax increase saves city jobs and bolsters local services. In Oxnard, SEIU 721 members elected Bert Perello to the City Council, where he beat out 12 other candidates for the spot.
These victories show what we can accomplish when we work together to better our communities.
More elections are coming up this year and next, including big ones at the LA County Board of Supervisors. Our members are already getting started on that front. Only July 2, SEIU 721 hosted a Town Hall event to hear from former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, who is running to fill Supervisor Gloria Molina’s First District seat. Over 350 members attended and asked former Secretary Solis about her plans and goals for LA County.
With much accomplished and even more to be done, I hope you all will get involved with this aspect of our union’s work. Please email me at presidentschoonover@seiu721.org.
In Solidarity,
Bob Schoonover
SEIU 721 President and LA City
Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic