Campaign Wins an Audit of City & County Practices
SEIU members believe in basic fairness: workers who do the same work should be treated the same. That’s why we have been fighting to stop a growing trend in some California cities and counties: the misuse of the “temporary” classification to cut corners and create a tier of second-class workers.

In 2006,  nearly 1 in every 6 city and county workers was classified as “temporary.” One third have been “temporary” for 5 years or longer. 57% have no health insurance either through family or work, indicating that public agencies are contributing to poverty and the crisis of the uninsured.

There’s a simple solution that’s already been tried and has worked in California: establish clear standards for temporary work, which California did for schools in 2002.

Early Wednesday, over 30 Temporary Workers from Locals 521, 721 and 1021 traveled to Sacramento to attend the Joint Legislative Audit Committee hearing at the State Capitol.  Members waited patiently for Assembly Member Swanson’s Bill (AB 1496) which would Secure Rights for Public Sector Temporary Workers to be heard.  Two SEIU members testified in support of AB 1496.  Please read their testimony below. 

I have been employed as a temporary worker at the Riverside Community Regional Medical Center as a Response Care Practitioner for 27 years.  My position is critical, I save lives.  I have no benefits... no medical, dental vacation or sick leave.  I would like to have job security. SEIU 721 Member, Jeanie Taylor  » Read Jeanie's Testimonial

The term ‘seasonal worker’ is very misleading, there is nothing seasonal about my position except there are thousands of temp workers just like me, in public agencies across the state of California, working in nearly every department of government. Most of us doing the exact same work as permanent full time employees, however with out the security of benefits or workers rights. SEIU 721 Member, Skye Phinney   » Read Skye's Testimonial

Most of these members had never been to the Capitol before or had the opportunity to attend a Joint Legislative Committee. 

The committee approved an audit on the use of temporary workers on a 5/4 vote with the deciding vote cast by Republican Todd Spitzer.  The audit will survey the utilization of Temporary Workers in six counties including Kern, San Joaquin, and Riverside, and will, we believe, clearly show that cities and counties are abusing their use.
James Todd, State Council Political Organizer and Allen Davenport, State Council Government Relations Director, briefed the members after the hearing letting them know that this was a big win!  We then moved forward as a delegation to Senator Machado's office.  Our primary goal and purpose was to AGAIN attempt to meet with the Senator and ask him to do the right thing... agree to support AB 1496; Clarifying the Use of Temporary Workers.  Senator Machado was not in his office and none of his staff would meet with us.  Although disappointed, the members remain motivated to continue to put pressure on him! 

We then debriefed on the steps of Capitol, where members were excited about our WIN and delegation to engage Machado!



Educational Materials
  Temporary Workers Hearing briefing 02 20 08.doc 
  Temporary Workers Hearing leave behind 02 20 08.doc