SEIU negotiations in context

As we all wait nervously for the negotiations between SFUSD and SEIU Local 790 to play out, I've been wondering about the union, and wondering how the SFUSD negotiations fit in with the union's agenda.

SEIU is one of the most dynamic, most successful unions on the American labor movement scene. They have been at the forefront of the movement to re-grow the union movement and organize more job sites. While much of the rest of the AFL CIO has been content to defensively protect their dwindling membership, the SEIU has been busy organizing and expanding their base. I'm not a close observer of labor news, but I think the SEIU and their commitment to organizing was one of the main reasons for the recent AFL/CIO split -- SEIU is now aligned with the side of that split that is making organizing a primary focus.

The other notable news from the SEIU locally is their recent actions in the health care sector. They are on strike against Sutter here in the city, as anyone who's been by the CPMC California, Mt Zion, or Davies campuses knows. I also noted that they amicably signed a contract with Kaiser.

From my limited perspective, the main issue for both the Sutter and Kaiser negotiations appears to be expanding the union. Wages and benefits were not an issue, though unlike SFUSD it appears that the hospitals were offering healthy wage increases and preserving and expanding generous benefit packages.

So what does this portend for SFUSD? I have a hunch.

On the one hand, the Kaiser contract will add pressure to get a good contract. Of course the health care and public service sectors are far different, with very different economic conditions. Tons and tons of money -- way too much actually -- is flowing into the health care industry in this country. At the same time tax-averse Republicans trying (and succeeding) to starve the government to the point where they can "drown it in the bathtub". Logically, the fat wages and benefits won by SEIU in one sector should not affect other sectors and other locals -- but you know that it raises Local 790's hopes. Yet, wages and benefits have not been the big sticking points with SFUSD.

Job protection is on the table with SFUSD. Big time. And in this regard I think the SEIU's recent history, as well as their recent struggles in the health care sector, do tell us a lot about what's up. The prospect of further school closures in SFUSD, privatization, charters, as well as other district reforms put job protection on the front burner.

None of this bodes well for SFUSD. It will be very hard for SEIU to accept any contract that does not include immediate wage increase. Forget about eroded benefits. But don't get distracted by the money. My guess is the real threat of a strike revolves around job protection.

And don't forget that the SEIU contract will be a bellwether for UESF. If Local 790 "wins", the pressure will mount for UESF to deliver. The current UESF leadership rode into power on a wave of membership resentment against the prior regime that failed to deliver the money last time. The bill for the UESF contract will already dwarf any SEIU agreement. But if SEIU prevails, the impact will go well beyond Local 790's members.