Disillusioned with Service Employees International Union Local 1021’s focus on political activities, former Oakland union members are seeking to decertify SEIU and form a new union in its place.
Seneca, thank you for contributing your knowledge and perspective about unions in Oakland, and for providing the data and evidence to back up your assertions. Your article speaks for itself -- and the evidence it presents is compelling.
Thank you to Seneca and the Oakland Report, this report is excellent and should be circulated far a wide. Oakland is at a breaking point. Our city is being destroyed, losing talent, businesses, and hope because of a political class whose ideology is not the American way, endless tax hikes, and SEIU leadership. I need not say more on this question, you documented it so well in this article.
I stand firmly with SEIU members who are ready for real change. It's time to decertify SEIU Local 1021 and build a new, independent union.
The workers of Oakland deserve better. Our residents deserve better. We cannot keep pouring more money into a broken system that delivers less safety, fewer jobs, and crumbling infrastructure.
Let's end the abuse once and for all. Stop the relentless tax increases that are driving families and businesses out of Oakland. Instead, let's unleash real economic growth—bring back manufacturing, support small businesses, and create the revenue our city truly needs through prosperity, not punishment of more taxes to cover up for failed leadership.
Hi Mindy, you're a big Trump fan girl. Any thoughts on his close relationship with Epstein. Isn't it odd how no one has been held accountable in the US yet?
Entertaining dust-up in the comments. Unfortunately union politicization and mission creep is an old and familiar story. One thing is clear: if 25% of the local rank-&-file has buggered-off there is a real problem. Given how common the hijacking by aspirational amateur pols of unionism has become it’s hard not to root for the apostates. The revolving door between city and union offices marks the current situation as a classic insider’s game, impervious to reform until some tabloid-worthy embarrassment undermines the scheme. Maybe that time has come.
Interesting and consternating . I think Seneca, the folks wanting a new union and Oakland Report itself owe it to us to tell us where their money comes from too. Would be helpful!
Thank you for the question. Oakland Report is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on reader donations. See our "About" section on this website to learn more.
Question: how can a 2000 member union steer an election in one direction or another? asking from ignorance here.
Also, Seneca I respect your efforts. Is it safe to assume the new union would be friendly towards a future Mayoral run of yours if you are helping them?
Not just 2,000 members, the Central Labor Council can draw from tens of thousands of members and flood the streets with bodies — and they often do.
That said, participation from the rank and file has dropped significantly. Increasingly, it’s mostly the NGOs showing up. That’s the dirty little secret.
That's possible, but that would be their decision, and I highly doubt I will be running for office again anytime soon. I would, however, consider helping the new local get its start, if they should ask.
Reminders from an earlier Oakland Report article on how residents and small businesses are harmed by the SEIU and the city officials in service of the SEIU :
"The refrain of “police caused our deficit” is repeated laconically by the media. And it’s harnessed by the labor unions (namely SEIU, IFPTE Local 21 and IBEW Local 1245, and IAFF Local 55) to attack the police."
"... city and union leaders exploit an incomplete view of the budget to confuse the public and justify disproportionate cuts to public safety spending."
"...only 32% of city full time employees are residents of Oakland.4 While there is nothing unreasonable in employing the best workers from anywhere in the region, it sets up a perverse incentive to abuse Oaklanders’ interests. Those workers and their union leaders can maximally extract Oakland resources for their benefit, but personally avoid the negative impacts associated with the decline of city services."
Have you ever been an SEIU 1021 member? Did you read the article? They gave Thao 50k after the fbi raided her home.
Your comment makes little sense. I honestly don’t believe you actually read this article. Go back and read it and come back with a more intelligent reply.
Looks like someone here is really triggered by this article. The pattern here is all too familiar. I’ll leave it to the OR moderators to clear out the trash.
Considering your track record for harassing people, surely you can't fault me a little anonymity. I don't want to have to bother with a restraining order.
FYI that's likely former Thao staffer Brandon Harami, who was fired after racist memo's surfaced due to FBI investigation. He's easy to spot and love to use burner accounts to be a jerk off, it's the pathology of a coward.
Seneca, thank you for contributing your knowledge and perspective about unions in Oakland, and for providing the data and evidence to back up your assertions. Your article speaks for itself -- and the evidence it presents is compelling.
Thank you to Seneca and the Oakland Report, this report is excellent and should be circulated far a wide. Oakland is at a breaking point. Our city is being destroyed, losing talent, businesses, and hope because of a political class whose ideology is not the American way, endless tax hikes, and SEIU leadership. I need not say more on this question, you documented it so well in this article.
I stand firmly with SEIU members who are ready for real change. It's time to decertify SEIU Local 1021 and build a new, independent union.
The workers of Oakland deserve better. Our residents deserve better. We cannot keep pouring more money into a broken system that delivers less safety, fewer jobs, and crumbling infrastructure.
Let's end the abuse once and for all. Stop the relentless tax increases that are driving families and businesses out of Oakland. Instead, let's unleash real economic growth—bring back manufacturing, support small businesses, and create the revenue our city truly needs through prosperity, not punishment of more taxes to cover up for failed leadership.
Mindy Pechenuk
Candidate for Oakland Mayor 2026
Mindy, thank you for your comment, it is appreciated.
Hi Mindy, you're a big Trump fan girl. Any thoughts on his close relationship with Epstein. Isn't it odd how no one has been held accountable in the US yet?
Do you have anything of substance to say and maybe, elevate the conversation?
Entertaining dust-up in the comments. Unfortunately union politicization and mission creep is an old and familiar story. One thing is clear: if 25% of the local rank-&-file has buggered-off there is a real problem. Given how common the hijacking by aspirational amateur pols of unionism has become it’s hard not to root for the apostates. The revolving door between city and union offices marks the current situation as a classic insider’s game, impervious to reform until some tabloid-worthy embarrassment undermines the scheme. Maybe that time has come.
That time has indeed arrived.
Interesting and consternating . I think Seneca, the folks wanting a new union and Oakland Report itself owe it to us to tell us where their money comes from too. Would be helpful!
They don’t have any money. It’s all member funded. I work pro bono
Thank you for the question. Oakland Report is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on reader donations. See our "About" section on this website to learn more.
Question: how can a 2000 member union steer an election in one direction or another? asking from ignorance here.
Also, Seneca I respect your efforts. Is it safe to assume the new union would be friendly towards a future Mayoral run of yours if you are helping them?
Not just 2,000 members, the Central Labor Council can draw from tens of thousands of members and flood the streets with bodies — and they often do.
That said, participation from the rank and file has dropped significantly. Increasingly, it’s mostly the NGOs showing up. That’s the dirty little secret.
That's possible, but that would be their decision, and I highly doubt I will be running for office again anytime soon. I would, however, consider helping the new local get its start, if they should ask.
Reminders from an earlier Oakland Report article on how residents and small businesses are harmed by the SEIU and the city officials in service of the SEIU :
"The refrain of “police caused our deficit” is repeated laconically by the media. And it’s harnessed by the labor unions (namely SEIU, IFPTE Local 21 and IBEW Local 1245, and IAFF Local 55) to attack the police."
"... city and union leaders exploit an incomplete view of the budget to confuse the public and justify disproportionate cuts to public safety spending."
"...only 32% of city full time employees are residents of Oakland.4 While there is nothing unreasonable in employing the best workers from anywhere in the region, it sets up a perverse incentive to abuse Oaklanders’ interests. Those workers and their union leaders can maximally extract Oakland resources for their benefit, but personally avoid the negative impacts associated with the decline of city services."
https://www.oaklandreport.org/p/oakland-leaders-perpetuate-misinformation
Trading a big, strong union for a small weak one is not a pathway to progress and growth. Try organizing a reform movement inside the union instead.
I think these members know what they want after 20 + years of pushing for reform and being ignored.
If you actually read the article, you know they are ex chapter presidents and stewards.
Ex chapter presidents and stewards aren't always right.
Have you ever been an SEIU 1021 member? Did you read the article? They gave Thao 50k after the fbi raided her home.
Your comment makes little sense. I honestly don’t believe you actually read this article. Go back and read it and come back with a more intelligent reply.
You always get so defensive from even a little reasonable push back.
Anon trolls always seem to appear when a particularly damning article to the progressives agenda drops... Funny how that works.
You're platforming Seneca Scott of all people?
Goodbye, credibility. Sad to learn this is nothing more than a nasty MAGA mouthpiece.
Looks like someone here is really triggered by this article. The pattern here is all too familiar. I’ll leave it to the OR moderators to clear out the trash.
I agree that there is trash here that needs to be taken out.
Yawn… look at the courageous keyboard warrior scared to use their own name to slander someone. Progress!
Still can’t respond to the substance though
Considering your track record for harassing people, surely you can't fault me a little anonymity. I don't want to have to bother with a restraining order.
You still a homophobic bigot?
Yes, double down. This is the place for smart people. Your little nasty troll ways don’t work here. 🍕
Trolling? Tell me where the lie is. Seems to me we've all seen who you are.
https://oaklandside.org/?s=seneca+scott
Its hard when the entire truth reveals the fallacies and delusions of those you support (like Sheng), doesnt it?
This is why you have the Oaklandside operating as a propaganda outfit for you and your friends.
I know you're comfortable keeping your head up in your butt but that deprives your brain of oxygen. Then again, maybe you dont care.
Good luck
FYI that's likely former Thao staffer Brandon Harami, who was fired after racist memo's surfaced due to FBI investigation. He's easy to spot and love to use burner accounts to be a jerk off, it's the pathology of a coward.