Local 21 members in Contra Costa County organized for union representation and a voice on the job in 2009 after the County implemented wage cuts and a cap on employer contributions toward healthcare, resulting in skyrocketing medical costs for employees and their families. Local 21 constantly fights for more competitive wages and to restore competitive benefits for members. In 2016, Local 21 won a 3-year contract guaranteeing 10% across-the-board pay increases and more money to help with our increasing healthcare premiums.  In 2015, we lead the effort to form the Contra Costa Labor Health Care Coalition in order to compel the County to begin paying a higher share of health premiums for the first time since 2009. Local 21 continues to achieve progress curtailing the contracting out of members’ work. Local 21 regularly questions and challenges changes to County policy or other County actions that could adversely impact members’ careers, and we often win. Local 21 enforces labor laws and the collective bargaining agreement (MOU) while defending members’ rights on the job.
 
However, with this looming threat of the Janus vs. AFSCME case, we could lose our power, our momentum, and our protections if we don’t stick together and recommit to each other and Local 21.  We could lose all of the progress we have made.
 
So we are asking every Local 21 member, and every agency fee payer, to make the choice now and CHOOSE UNION. We need EVERYONE represented by Local 21 to sign a new membership card and recommit to Local 21 today! Recommitting to our Union, and to each other, is the only way we can fight back against this Janus threat, and it is the only way we can continue to fight effectively to improve pay and benefits, protect pensions, and ensure our rights on the job will continue to be protected and enforced moving forward.  

The good news is: if we do this right by organizing in the workplace, recommitting, and educating our coworkers together, we will emerge from this grave threat as a stronger union altogether.