Posts tagged SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
Opinion Dave Regan’s alleged bullying should put an end to ‘billionaire tax’
September 21, 2026 // For years, Regan has bossed his way around California, drawing on his training in New York state and his experience in the Rust Belt. He arrived in California and immediately saw the state’s ballot initiative process as the soft underbelly of democracy. In election after election, he has organized initiatives on his pet priorities. He doesn’t always win them. But he has turned ballot initiatives into weapons to increase the political power of his union — regardless of the consequences.
California health clinics accuse influential union and its leader of racketeering in civil lawsuit
September 18, 2026 // The California Primary Care Assn. and five clinics filed a civil lawsuit in federal court Friday accusing SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West and its president, Dave Regan, of racketeering and using ballot initiatives to “shake down” community health centers. The association alleges that Regan and his union orchestrated a “multi-year campaign of coercion, threats, and economic pressure” to “extort” what the lawsuit describes as “valuable property rights” and “labor-organizing terms” from CPCA and the health centers the association represents in California, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by The Times.
Proposition 44 pits California clinics against union known for ballot battles
September 17, 2026 // While SEIU-UHW insists it will put resources behind the measure, the union hasn’t invested any major funds in Prop. 44 since May, instead funneling its dollars to support the billionaire tax. Opponents of the measure, meanwhile, had $32 million in cash on hand as of the end of June and have continued to raise money since then. The proposition is one of the least popular of the 14 statewide measures on this year’s ballot, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released Tuesday. Just 34% of the 1,745 California adults surveyed said they backed it.
Commentary: Two huge California unions clash over money, political clout this election season
June 12, 2026 // This year’s race for governor is one arena for that rivalry. Service Employees International Union, the parent of SEIU-UHW, is backing former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the leading Democrat. The CTA has supported billionaire Tom Steyer, who has repeatedly pledged to pursue one of the teachers’ holy grails, removing Prop. 13’s property tax limits on commercial property, which would generate more money for schools. The two unions also are at odds over details in the state budget, such as financing preschool programs. The state Senate’s version of the budget would shift preschool support into the Prop. 98 segment of the budget, thus freeing up money that could go to health care. CTA sees that as a raid on school funds.
1,500 Rady Children’s Hospital workers unionize
January 7, 2026 // According to the NLRB, 1,110 ballots were cast, with 564 workers voting in favor and 546 against. The vote covers approximately 1,500 nonclinical workers, including environmental services attendants, patient care assistants, medical assistants, patient access representatives, food service workers and medical interpreters.
Opinion: A Union Sandbags Newsom With a Wealth Tax
October 27, 2025 // The SEIU-UHW collected $136 million in worker dues and agency fees in 2024, according to the union’s most recent U.S. Labor Department filing. Much of this has financed ballot campaigns and political lobbying to promote its own interests and the progressive agenda more broadly. The wealth-tax initiative is a case in point.
Following layoff announcements, Sharp medical office workers unionize
July 7, 2025 // The election took place by mail from June 9 to 30 to join the union, which represents 120,000 healthcare workers across California. The medical office workers at all six offices known as SharpCare in Coronado, Chula Vista, La Mesa, San Diego, Santee and Spring Valley join 6,000 Sharp workers across the region — including more than 650 earlier this year.
Central Coast Planned Parenthood workers set to strike next week
June 7, 2025 // Unionized healthcare staff, including medical assistants and clinicians, will walk off the job next Monday and Tuesday at clinics across the Central Coast– unless the union and management reach an agreement. According to the union, SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, low pay and lack of support from management has led to high turnover and understaffing. This reportedly causes longer wait times for patients and lower quality care.
Unionized Planned Parenthood workers approve new contract
July 10, 2024 // Hundreds of unionized Planned Parenthood workers in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties last week voted to approve a new contract that would apply to nurses, medical assistants, patient advocates and other clinic staff. The agreement would raise wages by 15% over three years, increase the minimum wage to $23 per hour and improve benefits, per the union. It's the first union contract for any Planned Parenthood workers in California, the group says.
OPINION: Government unions are behind corrupt Oakland mayor
July 1, 2024 // Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home was raided by the FBI last week as were two other homes owned by members of the Duong family. The Duongs own California Waste Solutions, a company that has a billion-dollar contract with the city. Thao is reported to have traveled to Vietnam at the Duong family’s expense last year. Since the raid, Thao’s lawyer and communications director both quit and her former chief of staff called on her to resign. Thao refuses to leave office, however, claiming that she is completely innocent and the victim of “right-winged forces” that are trying to take her down. Thao’s political troubles did not start with the raid. Thanks to rising crime, a weak economy, and a huge budget deficit, Thao was already facing a recall election set for this November. As bad as Thao has been in office, though, there still is a good chance she will hang on to power.