The ballot initiative pushed by former Mayor Richard Riordan is aiming more at voters' emotions than it is at solving a budget issue. It won't solve the city's budget problems. If Riordan's initiative gets on the ballot, it will only make things worse.

Come out to the City Council Meeting this Friday, Oct. 26, 10am to speak out against the city's plan to cut our pensions. We need to be there in numbers to tell the Council that they cannot take away our future.

Lake Hemet Municipal Water District members voted 86% to ratify a five year contract with LHMWD management, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

Mike Booth, water operator and SEIU 721 chief negotiator for the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District bargaining team, presented petitions signed by 100% of the unit to the LHMWD Board on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

During the last bargaining session the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District bargaining team made some inroads with management on issues of safety and efficiencies, but more talks are needed to tackle core economic proposals.

Following trends set from Wisconsin to Riverside County, the City of Palm Springs' management seems to be more concerned with paying lip service to "pension reform" than to the needs of the hard working families of their city. Once again, this unfortunate political triangulation strategy was on display at our most recent bargaining session, which took place on May 7.

The Coalition of LA City Unions has provided Mayor Villaraigosa with alternatives to the drastic layoffs that will lead to reduction of vital services and hardship for the working families of the City of Los Angeles.

Check this page often for news about the 2012 LA City budget and our fight to save city jobs.

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, SEIU 721 members voted by 92% to approve the new Memorandum of Understanding with Riverside County. With the approval of this agreement, members affirmed the Bargaining Team met the top goals established by members last year; obtaining COLAs, resuming step/merit increases and improving health benefits.

SEIU 721 Riverside County workers made history by powerfully standing up to protect public services. On Feb. 10, SEIU 721 members and Riverside County reached a contract agreement that ensures fairness and dignity for hard working families.

On Tuesday SEIU 721 members officially noticed Riverside County Board of Supervisors that all Riverside County members will hold a one-day unfair labor practice strike next Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at the County Administration Center in downtown Riverside.

SEIU 721 members at the Riverside County Regional Medical Center served official notice to hospital management that they will join with other county workers on strike Jan. 31, 2012, against unfair labor practices unless the county agrees to return to the negotiation table to bargain in good faith to reach a fair settlement.

After months of trying to reach a fair contract agreement with Riverside County management and an unlawful imposition, the SEIU 721 bargaining team has called for a one-day unfair labor practice strike on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.

Following SEIU 721 Riverside County member's rejection of the county's Last, Best and Final contract offer, the county imposed Terms and Conditions of employment on all SEIU 721 represented members effective Nov 22, 2011. These Terms and Conditions were finally provided to the bargaining team on Dec 2.

Following the declaration of imposition by Riverside County management, SEIU 721 members protested outside of the historic Mission Inn Hotel, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at a fundraiser for Supervisor Bob Buster. The event was a $5,000 a plate dinner for his re-election campaign, at a time when county employees are being forced to take severe cuts and are already struggling to make ends meet. SEIU 721 members held signs critical of Buster at each of the hotel's entrances. One sign was held by a member with a Ginch mask on that read, "Bob Buster Riverside's Grinch." Buster has been one of the most vocal critics of SEIU 721 members and has pushed for drastic cuts in a time when members are barely hanging on to their homes.

Late Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, Riverside County provided Terms and Conditions of employment to the SEIU 721 bargaining team. The team has not yet analyzed it but will be provide a summary analysis by next week for an easy reference of changes from the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and how those changes will effect members.

Following SEIU 721 Riverside County member's overwhelming rejection of the county's Last, Best and Final Offer (LBFO), the county notified SEIU 721, Tuesday Nov. 22, 2011, that it intends to impose terms and conditions of employment, but has not offered any additional information including an effective date.

On Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, SEIU 721 Riverside County members overwhelmingly (92%) rejected the county's Last, Best, and Final Offer (LBFO). By voting NO, members authorized their bargaining team to demand the county resume negotiations through fact finding and mediation, and to call for escalating job actions, up to and including strikes, as necessary.

Authorization voting for SEIU 721 Riverside County members closed at noon Monday, Nov. 21, and the bargaining team has begun the process of validating and tallying votes. SEIU 721 members are welcome to come help with the count at the Riverside office 4336 Market St., Riverside, CA, 92501.

The SEIU 721 Riverside County bargaining team held the first membership and authorization meeting in Indio, Wednesday evening, and voting has begun. To assist members in understanding exactly what is at stake, the bargaining team has prepared a summary of the current positions at the bargaining table.