State Budget Campaign

March April 2003
photos by Richard Bermack

Local 535 along with the SEIU State Council is launching a budget fight back campaign. The plan is to train as many members as possible through chapter and worksite meetings to lobby legislators and raise money to finance budget reform legislation. SEIU is contemplating a ballot measure that would change the state constitution to require a simple majority rather than a 2/3 majority to pass a budget. This would prevent the budget deadlocks that we have experienced over the last couple of years where a minority of conservative legislators can hold the budget hostage. The Budget Accountability Act will dramatically restructure the current budget process to hold elected officials accountable. SEIU’s campaign consultant estimates that it will take $13 million for the campaign to succeed. We need to find the money or we will face continued budget deficits with erosion of services and loss of jobs for the next 10 years. We are currently doing district-based lobbying and have visited about 20 elected officials. We are building our coalition and support for our balanced approach to the budget: $1 increase in revenue for each $1 cut in budget.

Child Welfare Campaign
“Invest in the Future, Pay Now or Pay Later, Adopt a Fair Approach to Balancing the Budget,” was the message delivered to the governor in the form of 1,500 postcards from SEIU Local 535 and National Association of Social Workers members and staff at a rally on the steps of the State Capitol on March 3rd. The governor’s labor liaison Bill Lloyd accepted the cards for the governor. Assembly members Judy Chu, Jackie Goldberg, and Assembly Majority Leader Wilma Chan addressed the rally. Local 535 President Annette Jeffries was the master of ceremonies. Shari Twidwell from NASW and 535 child welfare workers from all over the state addressed the meeting, including Vernon Green from San Diego, Mei-Lin Ma from Los Angeles, Alfred Issaco from Santa Clara, David Williams from San Francisco, Tony Bravo from Los Angeles, and Mercedes Medina from Fresno. Issaco also brought two of his clients who roused the crowd with their stories about how the services they received made a difference in their lives. About 100 people attended the rally.

Town Hall Meetings for National Professional Social Work Month

Local 535 is taking the campaign to increase funding for social services to Republican legislators. Three town hall meetings are being held with legislators who we need to educate about how investing in social services can make a difference.