SEIU 721’s Potential Strike and the Re-union of Two Major Unions Ahead of Trump’s Second Term
The labor landscape is shifting significantly as the SEIU 721, representing a substantial portion of Los Angeles County’s workforce, prepares for a potential Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike. This comes concurrently with the surprising reunification of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO, just days before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. These developments highlight growing labor unrest and the potential for major conflicts between unions and the incoming administration.
Key Takeaways:
- Imminent Strike Threat in LA County: SEIU 721, representing a vast number of Los Angeles County employees, is poised for a significant strike authorized by an overwhelming vote.
- Union Re-alignment: SEIU and the AFL-CIO have reunited, significantly bolstering the AFL-CIO’s membership and signaling a united front against potential anti-labor policies.
- Political Implications: Both events are laden with political significance, occurring just before a second Trump administration known for its skepticism of labor unions.
- Potential for Widespread Disruption: The potential strike in LA County could severely impact crucial public services, affecting nearly 4,751 square miles of the county’s service area.
- A United Labor Front: With the combined might of the AFL-CIO and SEIU, the labor movement is demonstrating strength and preparedness to face potential challenges.
SEIU 721’s Potential Strike: A Looming Crisis for Los Angeles County
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, representing nearly 95,000 county workers in Los Angeles, has authorized a strike following an overwhelming vote. This move follows accusations of union busting by Los Angeles County. “We have had it with LA County’s attempts at union busting and we are ready to strike,” declared SEIU 721 President David Green. The potential impact is enormous. A strike would impact almost all of the LA County workforce, crippling essential services like healthcare, social services, and public safety across the county’s expansive 4,751-square-mile service area. While segments of LA County’s workforce have threatened strikes before (most recently nurses in May 2022), a full-scale strike involving SEIU 721’s diverse membership hasn’t happened in decades. This looming strike underscores deep-seated grievances and a breakdown in labor relations.
The Stakes are High: Services at Risk
The potential disruption to public services is a major concern. The SEIU 721 represents a broad spectrum of workers, including healthcare professionals, social workers, and public safety personnel. A prolonged strike could lead to significant delays in crucial care, impacting vulnerable populations. The economic consequences are also considerable, potentially affecting various aspects of Los Angeles County’s operations and the wider community’s well-being.
AFL-CIO and SEIU: A Strategic Re-Alignment Before a Potentially Hostile Administration
Amidst the growing tension in Los Angeles, a significant development occurred in the national labor scene. Nearly 20 years after their separation, the SEIU and the AFL-CIO have announced their reunification. With the addition of SEIU’s roughly 2 million members, the AFL-CIO’s membership swells to an impressive 15 million workers, creating a formidable force in the American labor movement. While the union leaders insist the decision is not politically motivated, “the notion that this is political couldn’t be further from the truth in terms of the election results,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler stated, the timing is undeniably significant, occurring just days before President-elect Donald Trump’s second term begins.
A United Front Against Anticipated Challenges
Both unions openly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, viewing Trump’s agenda as “devastating” and “anti-worker.” Despite their claims of non-political motivations, the re-alignment suggests a proactive strategy to counteract potential anti-labor policies from the incoming administration. The unions are preparing for what they anticipate will be a combative relationship with the Trump administration. “We do not have rose-colored glasses on about the threats that could be coming our way,” said SEIU International President April Verrett. The AFL-CIO’s Shuler highlighted the unions’ extensive infrastructure: “We are…the only institution in the country that has an infrastructure in every city, in every state, in every workplace, that is a mobilizing machine.” This unified stance demonstrates a concerted effort to protect worker rights and interests.
Years in the Making: A Long-Term Strategy
The decision to reunite wasn’t spontaneous. Shuler and Verrett confirmed that discussions had been ongoing for years, suggesting a deliberate and carefully considered strategy. SEIU’s board approved more formal talks with the AFL-CIO as far back as June 2023, signifying a commitment to long-term collaboration. This suggests a strategic move beyond immediate political considerations, indicating a commitment to building a stronger and more unified labor movement for years to come.
Expert Analysis and Potential Impacts
Ken Jacobs, a senior policy adviser at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, frames the reunification as a significant development, placing it within the context of the first Trump administration’s openly “extremely hostile to labor” approach. He emphasized the importance of labor unity during the upcoming administration, stressing that “this is also a pretty clear reflection of recognition of how important labor unity is going to be in this next four years, when we have a Trump administration that we can expect to be hostile to the interests of working people.”
Trump’s Approach to Labor and Potential Conflicts
President-elect Trump’s past stance on labor, including criticism of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and his reported efforts to court union members, presents potential challenges for organized labor. The fact that the Teamsters Union surprisingly refrained from endorsing a presidential candidate this cycle, after a long history of supporting Democrats, suggests the potential for some unions to be more receptive to Trump’s overtures. The incoming administration’s potential policy directions, coupled with proposals by Trump allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy regarding large-scale government worker changes, signals a potential increase in friction between the Trump administration and major labor organizations like the AFL-CIO and SEIU.
The confluence of these labor actions—the imminent strike in Los Angeles and the reunification of two powerful unions—marks a significant moment for the American labor movement. The coming years will be crucial in determining the balance of power between organized labor and the incoming administration, with far-reaching impacts on workers’ rights, public services, and the national political landscape.
