Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Homeless Services Staff Vote to Join SEIU

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

A majority of workers at Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) staff have signed union authorization cards to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721.

USHS is the largest agency in San Gabriel Valley, California, providing housing support and employment services to homeless and very low-income adults and families. Workers at the nonprofit secured voluntary recognition from management and will soon begin negotiating a contract with fair wages and quality benefits that will help retain staff so they can continue supporting communities in need.

“This is a huge step forward for workers at Union Station Homeless Services,” said Danielle Leal, a care coordinator at USHS. “We’re glad to now have a strong voice on the job to advocate for the resources we need to serve our clients and to gain the supportive working conditions we deserve. Our union will make our organization stronger and help ensure that we can provide the best services possible to the most vulnerable among us.”