We fought back in 2025. Here’s how we turn momentum into a movement.
After everything we weathered together in 2025, this new year begins with something powerful on our side: momentum. We faced historic wildfires, an anti-worker White House, and employers who told us to expect nothing—and we answered with organizing, strikes, landmark contracts, and a once-in-a-generation expansion of worker rights through AB 1340.
Because of you, SEIU 721 is poised to grow like never before. In the months ahead, we will mount massive campaigns to save funding for vital public services and the workers who provide them, and we will move to sign up tens of thousands of new members—starting with Uber and Lyft drivers and thousands of NTT faculty and higher ed workers—while strengthening our worksites with a 1-to-50 leader structure that makes sure every member has a voice and a union leader close by.
Next month, our Road Ahead report will bring this plan into sharp focus. We will spell out our goals to grow our union at scale, stop privatization and short-staffing, and build the political power needed to defend our communities and democracy itself. One thing is already clear: if we stay united, 2026 will be a year where working people don’t just fight back—we win big.
In Solidarity,
Around Our Union
David Green Visits DPSS Wilshire Special
Meeting showcases frontline eligibility workers who power LA County’s safety net
SEIU 721 President David Green visited the Wilshire Special District Office in Los Angeles this week, recognizing frontline workers who help administer vital CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Relief benefits for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
During the visit, Green met with members and Union Steward Nelson Better, who talked about organizing efforts and the importance of showing up for District Office actions and SEIU 721 caucuses.
“There’s incredible union work happening behind the scenes every day at Wilshire Special—my job is to help members see that power and walk through the door with us,” Better said.
overwhelming approval for 211 LA Wage Reopener
Workers at 211 LA County have ratified a new Wage Reopener Tentative Agreement with an overwhelming YES vote, locking in higher wages and stronger healthcare contributions.
Member Victory
211 LA County workers approved the 2025 Wage Reopener TA after reviewing the proposal and casting their ballots.
The strong vote reflects members’ determination to improve standards at the nonprofit that connects residents to critical health and human services across LA County.
What the TA Includes
The agreement raises minimum hourly wage rates across classifications so no member earns below the new contract wage floor.
It also improves employer healthcare contributions, reducing out‑of‑pocket costs for workers and their families.
Harbor Regional Center Workers Ratify new Deal
Harbor Regional Center workers have ratified a 2025–2028 contract with an overwhelming YES vote, winning raises, bonuses, and stronger protections on the job. Members’ petitions, turnout at Board of Trustees meetings, and support for the Bargaining Team pushed management to agree to meaningful improvements.
Labor-community coalition joins Karen Bass kickoff
Labor-community coalition joins Mayor Karen Bass for re-election launch
On Saturday, December 13, SEIU 721 President David Green joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as she launched her re‑election campaign, standing alongside a powerful coalition of labor, community, and immigrant rights leaders. SEIU 721 is proud to endorse Mayor Bass for another term because she has consistently partnered with city workers to protect public services and defend good union jobs.
At the kickoff rally, David Green highlighted how Mayor Bass worked with unions to turn a budget that once proposed more than a thousand layoffs into an agreement that avoided all civil service job cuts, keeping LA City workers on the job and essential services intact. Joining him on stage were LA County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler and immigrant rights leader Angelica Salas of CHIRLA, underscoring the broad labor and community backing behind the Mayor’s agenda to keep LA running with a strong, stable union workforce.
UNION POWER STOPS LAYOFFS
SEIU 721 members in the County of Santa Barbara won a landmark zero-layoff agreement after the County threatened cuts in the Department of Social Services. Members mobilized quickly—gathering petition signatures, packing a Board of Supervisors meeting, and delivering powerful public comment on how layoffs would devastate vulnerable residents who rely on eligibility workers, social workers, and other frontline staff. The Board listened, and the union negotiated an agreement that prevents any layoffs in DSS. To secure this victory, members agreed to a one-time six-month delay of 2026 merit increases, with no impact on general salary increases, flex promotions, or other promotions. The agreement also creates a Labor/Management Committee to monitor the DSS budget and support long-term financial stability. When members stood united, they proved once again: when we fight, we win.
SIMI VALLEY RATIFIES BIG WIN
SEIU 721 members in the City of Simi Valley voted overwhelmingly to ratify a hard-fought Tentative Agreement after organizing their strongest campaign in decades. Members took an Unfair Labor Practice strike authorization vote for the first time since the 1970s, held multiple practice pickets across the city, and packed City Council meetings to demand fair bargaining and an end to the city’s law-breaking. Because members consistently showed up and flexed their collective power, the new agreement delivers a 100% market equity adjustment for qualifying members, a 9% COLA over three years, a $1,000 signing bonus, and major increases to standby pay.
NEVHC Workers CALL MANAGEMENT’S BLUFF
NEVHC healthcare workers unite to stop risky benefit gambles and save Affordable care
Once again, our solidarity delivered a powerful win at Northeast Valley Health Corporation. After months of tough bargaining that began in the spring, members stood firm against management’s unacceptable proposals and refused to settle for less. The new agreement secures a $1,000 one-time ratification bonus, a 4% cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to July 2025, and at least 13.57% in across-the-board wage increases over the three-year term. Just as important, the bargaining team protected our traditional healthcare plan design and beat back management’s attempt to shift us into a MERP program. Healthcare workers deserve affordable healthcare—and when we fight, we win.
Latino Caucus Holiday Food Drive 2025
Thanks to the generosity and solidarity of SEIU 721 members across the region, this year’s Latino Caucus Holiday Food Drive was a huge success. Together, we collected hundreds of cans of food, toiletries, and essential items to support Latino families and immigrant communities. In a year marked by ICE raids and anti-immigrant rhetoric, this effort was more than supplies. It was care and solidarity in action. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped collect goods, and a special thank you to SEIU 721 Executive Board member Joe Martinez for spearheading this important effort.
SEIU Local 721’s Armenian Caucus marked its 15th anniversary with a packed gala celebrating 15 years of organizing, culture, and worker leadership. Co‑chairs Silva Kechichian and Ellen Martirosyan welcomed members, allies, and VIPs, including SEIU 721 President David Green and Vice President Simboa Wright, who praised the caucus’ growing impact across Southern California.
The evening’s honorees reflected deep ties between labor and public service:
Legacy Award: Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, 5th District.
Man of the Year: Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian,
Council District 2.
Leadership Award: SEIU Local 721 President David Green.
Service Award: Armenian Caucus Co‑Chair Steven Hovagimian.
Guests enjoyed a special performance by Lilia Margaryan and LiliaDance, along with strong sponsorship support from community and political allies, including ANCA‑WR, Flare of Hope, Breadmaster Ara‑Z Inc., State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Supervisor Barger. The Executive Board and Gala Committee were thanked for their dedication in making the 15th anniversary a memorable, unifying night for Armenian union members and their families.
BUSTING THE UNION BUSTERS
SEIU 721 LMU FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY MARCH ON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S INAUGURATION
On December 9th, the day Thomas Poon was inaugurated as LMU president, non-tenure track faculty and supporters held a massive Day of Action on campus. Joined by students, alumni, and community allies, we denounced the administration and board for union busting and demanded an immediate return to the bargaining table. More than 200 people rallied at the campus entrance, then marched through campus chanting in support of NTT faculty and fair negotiations.
Retirees Spread Holiday Cheer
Illustrating their motto of “Retired and Active,” the SEIU 721 Retirees Committee kicked off the holidays with music, dancing, and a sock drive for residents at Rosecrans Care Center.
The Holiday Celebration, held Dec. 6 at the Sheraton Hotel in Cerritos, featured a buffet luncheon, photo booth, gifts for retirees, and live entertainment by Khalid Salaam and Friends, with SEIU 721 Vice President Simboa Wright joining retirees who donated socks for those in need.
On Dec. 15, the Retirees Membership Committee delivered the donated socks to tenants at Rosecrans Care Center, led by Membership Chair Joaquin Miramontes and committee members Vleg Ky, Joan Marks, Anna Sum, and Deborah Cotton Thomas.
“This was the Retirees Committee’s 2nd Annual Sock Drive, and the residents were very grateful to receive new pairs of socks for both men and women,” said Miramontes. “This is another example of union retirees giving back to the community and showing that unions make a difference.”
Holiday Toy Giveaway Unites Inland Leaders
SEIU 721 Inland Region members turned holiday spirit into action by hosting a toy giveaway that brought together families, union activists, and a powerful lineup of pro-worker elected officials and candidates. SEIU 721 President David Green joined members to welcome guests and highlight how union power and community partnerships make events like this possible. From bounce houses and food to face painting, family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a 721 photo booth, members and their families enjoyed a full day of fun capped by raffles with community leaders.
Elected officials and candidates who attended and donated bikes, helmets, gift cards, and large toys included:
Clarissa Cervantes, Assembly District 58 candidate
Paco Licea, Assembly District 58 candidate
Abel Chavez, Congressional District 41 candidate
Jason Byers, Assembly District 47 candidate
Gracie Torres, Water Board member and Riverside City Council candidate
Aram Ayra, Riverside City Council candidate
Christen Montero, Riverside City Council candidate
Oscar Ortiz, Indio City Councilmember and Assembly District 36 candidate
Leila Namvar, Assembly District 47 candidate
Riverside County Supervisor Manny Perez
Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez
Congressman Mark Takano
Several leaders could not attend but still donated bikes, toys, or holiday hams, including State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, San Bernardino County Supervisors Jesse Armendarez and Curt Hagman, Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina, and Beaumont City Councilmember Julio Martinez—another reminder that when unions and pro-worker leaders team up, Inland Empire families benefit.
SEIU 721 members at DPSS have won an official Code of Conduct that protects workers at all DPSS sites and sets real consequences for abusive behavior.
DPSS workers help LA County families secure food, healthcare, housing, and cash aid in moments of crisis—often under intense pressure. Their work demands professionalism and compassion, and they deserve safety on the job.
What was won:
- Protection from verbal or nonverbal threats.
- No obscene language or obscene gestures toward workers
- No hitting, attempted hitting, fighting, or throwing objects.
- No spitting, throwing bodily fluids, kicking, biting, or other assaultive behavior.
- No taking photos of or recording employees or visitors.
- No entering restricted areas or damaging County property.
- No unwanted touching or blocking workers’ and visitors’ free passage.
DPSS workers will not accept abuse as “part of the job,” and when they stand together through SEIU 721, they win the protections needed to keep serving the community safely and effectively.
SEIU 721 Chief of Staff Gilda Valdez
Our Union
Workers across the country are fed up- with insane economic policy driven by billionaires, massive health care cuts and persistent inflation.
That’s why 2026 is the most important election in a generation — our chance to turn it all around — and SEIU 721 is ready for the fight.
In 2025, we didn’t just respond to crises; we built permanent political muscle. We passed Prop 50 to protect fair elections, expanded worker rights through AB 1340, and grew COPE at record levels, more than doubling our net COPE goals and positioning our Local as a leader among public sector unions.
Now we take that power into the 2026 elections. The same Member Political Organizer program, COPE drives, and regional committees we built last year will become the backbone of a union-wide campaign to defend democracy, protect public services, and help retake the U.S. House so working families—not billionaires—set the agenda. Next month’s Road Ahead report will spell out how we will use that power to put an end to billionaire-driven economic policy, drive down costs for working people, and restore some sanity to our politics and our economy.
