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Grassroots organizing & public policy innovation for a just economy

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Home › Updates

Opportunity to Work is now in effect

March 13, 2017

Today, San Jose’s Opportunity to Work ordinance went into effect. This policy will help tens of thousands of part-time workers get access to the hours they need to make ends meet. We poured our time, resources, and hearts into Measure E:…

San Jose approves a $15 minimum wage by 2019

November 16, 2016

On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 by 2019, three years before the state of California reaches that standard. San Jose — the 10th largest city in the nation and the…

San Jose approves a $15 minimum wage by 2019

November 16, 2016

On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 by 2019, three years before the state of California reaches that standard. San Jose — the 10th largest city in the nation and the…

Rising together

November 11, 2016

It’s difficult to process what happened on Tuesday. Here in Silicon Valley, all the ballot measures we worked so hard for are on track to victory. With 64% of the votes counted, here’s how things are looking: Measure A: 67% YesRaises…

Cafeteria workers at Intel win union vote

September 15, 2016

Yesterday afternoon, contracted cafeteria workers at Intel’s Santa Clara headquarters won their vote to join UNITE HERE Local 19. Following key wins by janitors, security officers and shuttle bus drivers, this victory for food service workers — the fastest growing subcontracted…

Big win on career pathways

September 13, 2016

The Valley Transportation Authority Board just took a groundbreaking vote that will open up career opportunities on over $4 billion in construction projects for local community members who are struggling to find good, family-supporting jobs. This victory has been nearly five…

Opportunity to Work Initiative heads to the ballot

June 29, 2016

We did it! Thanks to hundreds of community leaders and tens of thousands of voters, the Opportunity to Work Initiative will come before San Jose voters in November – San Jose City Council made it official late yesterday. Opportunity to Work…

Historic vote moving $950M affordable housing bond this November

June 23, 2016

Yesterday, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to place a $950 million affordable housing bond on the November ballot to combat homelessness and address our regional housing crisis. The size and scope of this bond is unprecendented, aiming…

Silicon Valley Officials Vote for Regional Minimum Wage of $15 by 2019

June 10, 2016

Last night the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, which convenes the 15 cities in the heart of Silicon Valley, voted overwhelmingly in favor of making a $15 minimum wage the region-wide policy by 2019, setting a timeline three years faster…

Half a billion dollar victory for transit equity

June 6, 2016

Last week, the VTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to place a half-cent 30-year sales tax on the November ballot, which includes half a billion dollars in investments to serve the transportation needs of underserved residents including seniors and low-income communities….

35,000 signatures for Opportunity to Work

April 27, 2016

The Opportunity to Work campaign continues to build momentum. Workers, clergy and community leaders gathered at San Jose City Hall yesterday morning to turn in 11 boxes of petitions to put the Opportunity to Work Initiative on the November ballot in…

A Hidden Crisis: Underemployment in Silicon Valley

April 22, 2016

In one of the most prosperous regions in the country, far too many working people are barely scraping by. Just released, our new report, A Hidden Crisis: Underemployment in Silicon Valley’s Hourly Workforce, reveals an explosion of part-time work that helps…

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workingpartnershipsusa

When our neighbors needed them, they answered 💪⁠ ⁠ When our neighbors needed them, they answered 💪⁠
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This year, we're honoring the first group people call when ICE activity in our region threatens the safety of a family member or worker in our County—the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network.⁠
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Since 2016, @scc_rapidresponsenetwork has grown from a handful of volunteers to over 3,000 strong, running a 24/7 hotline that dispatches trained legal observers to verify and document ICE activity in real time. ⁠
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They organize and empower the community—running know-your-rights education across all 15 cities in Santa Clara County and standing publicly with immigrant families so no one is pushed into the shadows. Every day, they demonstrate people power that doesn't ask the government for permission. ⁠
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Join us at Champions For Change 2026 on Sep 17 as we celebrate the SCC Rapid Response Network as one of this year's Champions.🏆⁠
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🎟️ Get your tickets today at the link in our bio!
This year, we're honoring a leader who's spent 30 This year, we're honoring a leader who's spent 30 years protecting working people in California and across the country—David Huerta.⁠
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As President of SEIU-United Service Workers West, David's spent his career (since joining SEIU in 1996) defending immigrant workers and working families, often before it was safe or easy to do so.⁠
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He and SEIU-USWW have long been partners of ours here in Santa Clara County—standing together to make sure the thousands of workers who power the tech industry have dignity and a voice on the job.⁠ David reminds us that courage means acting before it's safe, before it's easy, and finding joy and power in doing it together. ⁠
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Join us at Champions For Change 2026 on Sep 17 as we celebrate David as one of this year's Champions. 🏆⁠
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🎟️ Get your tickets today at the link in our bio!
460,000 people in Santa Clara County rely on Medi- 460,000 people in Santa Clara County rely on Medi-Cal. A new rule could 129,000 of them at risk of losing their coverage by 2028. 

25 states are suing to stop it. 

Tell us how this new rule would effect you or your loved ones using the link in our bio!
AI feels like it's everywhere right now. Let's tal AI feels like it's everywhere right now. Let's talk about it!

Join us for a conversation with Alex Hanna, leading researcher and thinker in AI and tech!

We'll dig into the real challenges you're facing with AI, hear from Alex about her work, and have an open conversation about where we go from here. 
This is an opportunity to find shared values, common goals, and ways we can act together. 

RSVP at the link in our bio! 🔗 

 #AI #TechTalk
When Savannah learned the program was free, it cha When Savannah learned the program was free, it changed everything.⁠
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TOP is a no-cost apprenticeship-readiness program that prepares individuals for careers in the trades—combining classroom instruction, hands-on training, and direct pathways to union opportunities.⁠
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For many, it’s the first step toward a stable, long-term career.⁠
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wpusa.org/top⁠
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#StartWithTOP
Every county needs somewhere that can't say no. Fo Every county needs somewhere that can't say no. For Santa Clara County, that's VMC.

When a private ER hits capacity, patients get redirected. When VMC hits capacity, there's nowhere left to go. Cutting this system doesn't just hurt VMC's patients. It raises the risk for everyone who needs an ER bed in this county.

This is the hospital holding the whole system together. #HandsOffOurHealthcare. Protect Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
Today for #ParamedicAppreciationDay, We're highli Today for #ParamedicAppreciationDay,

We're highlighting our public healthcare system that ensures anyone can get care when they need it: the Santa Clara County hospital system doesn't ask what insurance you have—it just treats you.

But this model is under direct attack. H.R. 1 is gutting the Medi-Cal funding it runs on, and we're still $270 million short this year—not from mismanagement, but because Washington pulled the floor out.

Swipe to see what's at stake.

#HandsOffOurHealthcare

Protect Santa Clara Valley Healthcare.
An airport can't run without its workers. ✈️ Yest An airport can't run without its workers. ✈️

Yesterday, we joined airport workers at San José Mineta International Airport to stand with them in their fight for a fair contract. Every worker deserves dignity on the job, fair wages, and working conditions that respect the essential role they play in keeping our communities connected.

When workers stand together, they build the power to win not just for themselves, but for all working people. ✊🏽
The people who keep our communities running deserv The people who keep our communities running deserve to be heard! 🔊⁠
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Last Friday, workers from healthcare, childcare, fast food, gig work, and other industries came together with elected officials and candidates to share their experiences directly. From unsafe working conditions and low wages to the rising cost of living, workers spoke honestly about the challenges they face every day—and the changes they need to see from the people making decisions that affect their lives.⁠
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Real solutions start by listening to the people closest to the issues.
🐱 Things are getting purr-ty hot out there.⁠ ⁠ Whe 🐱 Things are getting purr-ty hot out there.⁠
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When indoor temperatures reach 82°F, employers in Santa Clara County must provide important heat protections, including cool drinking water, a cool-down area, and training on heat illness. Staying safe at work isn't a perk—it's your right.⁠
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Know your rights, share this with your coworkers, and visit the link in our bio for more workplace resources. 😸⁠
Curious about the trades but not sure where to sta Curious about the trades but not sure where to start?⁠
The Trades Orientation Program (TOP) is a no-cost pre-apprenticeship program designed to guide you step-by-step into a career in the trades. No prior experience needed.⁠
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From orientation to hands-on training, TOP helps you build the foundation for union apprenticeship opportunities.⁠
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Start with TOP. ⁠
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🔗 Learn more using the link in our bio⁠
Mannuel Flores, an aspiring carpenter, understands Mannuel Flores, an aspiring carpenter, understands the value of a union career and took his first step by joining TOP (Trades Orientation Program).⁠
Through hands-on training and guided support, he’s building the foundation for a long-term path in the trades. ⁠
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You too can build a career in the trades. Applications for our next TOP cohort are open now. ⁠
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Learn more by attending an info session — link in our bio 🔗⁠
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