SEIU 121RN 2025 Officer Elections

Local 121RN will be having Union-wide executive officer elections on November 3, 2025 for the roles of 121RN President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer.  As the Election Committee responsible for setting the election process for those elections, we’re writing to ask that you contact us right away if you believe we may not have your current mailing address on file.  We would like to ensure you receive your ballot when it gets mailed out.

Here’s some general, preliminary information:

On or about August 1, 2025, the nomination and election notice with eligibility criteria and submission deadline will be provided to members via 1) email, 2) postings in your facilities, 3) via a post on our website (www.seiu121rn.org/2025-elections) and mailed to home addresses we have on file. If you haven’t updated your home address, please provide it to us so that we can ensure you receive the notice and your ballot.

On or about October 8, 2025, ballots will be mailed to members.  

On November 3, 2025, ballots will be counted and results provided to members after the vote count is finalized.

More specifics (dates, times, etc.) will follow soon but we wanted to give you initial information. Any of us can be reached at this email address (electionscommittee@seiu121rn.org) with any questions or to update your mailing address.

SEIU LOCAL 121RN LOCAL-WIDE EXECUTIVE OFFICER ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN TERMS AND PROCESS

Local-wide Executive Officer Elections

(For purposes of defining the bodies referenced in this notice, SEIU Local 121RN (“Local 121RN”) refers to our Local Union based in California, and “SEIU International” refers to our parent organization based in Washington, D.C.)

  1. Constitution and Bylaws

The nomination and election of SEIU Local 121RN’s Local-wide Executive Officers, (i.e., President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer) will be conducted in accordance with the SEIU International Constitution; the Bylaws of Local 121RN; and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) of 1959, as amended.

  1. Term of Office

Article 8 – Elections, Sections A and H: The Local-wide Executive Officers will serve a three (3) year term, which will begin at the first Executive Board meeting of the calendar year after the election (in January) and hold the same until their successors take office.

  1. Eligibility to Hold Office

Any member who has been in continuous good standing for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the nomination (defined in the SEIU International Constitution as members who pay all dues and other financial obligations “within each month when due”) may run for office. When a candidate for office in the Local Union is member of a Chapter which has been affiliated with this Local Union for less than two (2) years, the candidate shall be eligible if s/he has been a member in continuous good standing for the length of time the Chapter has been chartered.

SEIU Local 121RN’s bylaws define good standing under Article 4 – Membership Rights, Section C “Good Standing”, as follows:

“Anyone eligible for membership under Article 4 who has filed an application and who is current with dues and initiation fees pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement shall be considered to be in good standing. Members in good standing, and only members in good standing, shall be eligible to participate in the Local including voting on strikes and contracts, running for office, serving on contract committees, attending Local meetings and voting on internal Local business.”

The Election Committee has defined the two-year eligibility period as being from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.

A member who wishes to run for office must be current in all dues owed between July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 before their nomination can be accepted by the Election Committee. It is up to the individual member to know or inquire as to whether they are current in their dues or other financial obligations.

From Article 15 – Finances, Section H:

“All members of the Local Union are under a positive duty to see that their dues and other payments are remitted on or before the last day of the month in which the same are due at the office of the Local Union.”

SEIU International’s Bylaws require that a member pay minimum dues of $40.00 per month regardless of dues generated pursuant to SEIU Local 121RN’s percentage-based system.

This Election Committee is providing a grace period for those nominees who are not or were not current in all dues or other financial obligations that were owed from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. Accordingly, if there were any months in which a member did not pay the required minimum dues of $40.00 in a specific month, the member must become current by no later than 5 p.m. on August 27, 2025 by paying the difference between what the employee paid in a specific month and the minimum dues of $40.00 per month. This minimum dues requirement is pursuant to SEIU International’s legal counsel.

  1. Nomination and Election Notice

On or about August 1, 2025, a nomination and election notice will be posted on union bulletin boards at all work sites, e-mailed to last known e-mail addresses of members, posted on 121RN’s website, and mailed to the last known address of Local 121RN members.

On or about August 1, 2025, a nomination petition will be posted on union bulletin boards at all work sites, e-mailed to last known e-mail addresses of members and posted on 121RN’s website.

  1. Nomination of Candidates

Nomination petitions will be for Local-wide Executive Officers, (i.e., President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer.

Any member who is current with dues through June 30, 2025 (and, if not current, has paid any arrears by no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 27, 2025), will be considered in good standing and eligible to nominate candidates.

Members will have from August 1, 2025 through August 28, 2025 to collect and submit a nomination petition with valid signatures. All completed nomination petitions are due and must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 28, 2025.

  1. Nomination Acceptances

Candidates must accept nomination on the nomination petition by indicating “yes” on the petition and signing it. The petition must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 28, 2025 via email at electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org. The nomination petition will be deemed accepted by the Election Committee on August 28, 2025 if received by no later than 5:00 p.m., and the Committee will review to ensure all eligibility requirements have been met.

  1. Candidate Eligibility Determinations

The Election Committee will review the SEIU International Constitution, Local 121RN’s Bylaws, and Local 121RN’s dues records to determine the eligibility of all nominees. Nominees will be notified of their eligibility, e-mailed a copy of these rules, and asked how they wish their names to appear on the ballot. This will be done after 5:00 p.m. on August 28, 2025 but no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 29, 2025. This time limit may be extended by the Election Committee.

Ineligible nominees will be advised via email listed on the nomination petition of the reason(s) they are not eligible to run for office. In the event that a nominee is deemed ineligible because of a nominator’s failure to be a member in good standing, the nominee will be given an opportunity to replace the ineligible nominator(s) with members who are in good standing. The nominee(s) shall cure such signatures by no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 3, 2025. The nominee shall send the new nominators to the following e-mail address: electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org. No further opportunity to cure signatures will be provided beyond 4 p.m. on September 3, 2025.

If the nominee desires to appeal the Election Committee’s determination that they are not eligible, the nominee shall send their appeal to the following e-mail address: electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org. The nominee must file their appeal by no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 3, 2025. Unless the Election Committee changes or modifies its decision regarding the ineligible nominee by 11:59 p.m. on September 3, 2025, the Election Committee’s decision regarding ineligibility will become final as of 12:00 a.m. on September 4, 2025. The Election Committee can extend the time for the Election Committee’s response.

The following are the eligibility rules under the International’s Constitution that apply to any member who wants to be a candidate for nomination and election to local union office. They are as follows:

  1. Two Years Continuous Good Standing. The nominee has paid all dues and other financial obligations on or before the last day of each month when due immediately preceding the nomination. As noted above, the Election Committee is providing a grace period for nominees to become current on dues payments that may be past due by no later than 5 p.m. on August 27, 2025.
  2. No Conviction of a Disqualifying Crime. Disqualifying crimes for any candidate as listed under LMRDA Section 504. The period of disqualification is 13 years from the conviction or from the end of any imprisonment resulting from such conviction, whichever is later.
  3. Members Paying less than full dues are ineligible. Associate members, life members, and members paying less than the full dues required for working members of the local union are not eligible for nomination as an officer, member of the executive board, delegate, or any other office in the local union.
  4. Time for Campaigning. The local must provide a reasonable period of time prior to the election during which candidates and their supporters may engage in campaigning.
  5. Equal Treatment. The local must treat all candidates equally with regard to the opportunity to campaign. Campaign rules must be the same for everyone and any privileges extended to one candidate must be extended to all candidates for the same position.
  6. Distribution of Campaign Literature. Section 401 (c) of the LMRDA requires unions to comply with all reasonable requests of any candidate to distribute his/her campaign literature to members in good standing at the candidate’s own expense.
  7. Inspection of Membership List. Section 401 (c) also provides that each bona fide candidate for office has a right once within thirty (30) days prior to the mailing of the ballots for the election in which he/she is a candidate to inspect a list of names and last-known addresses of all members of the local union (in their bargaining unit).
  8. Prohibition on the Use of Union or Employer Funds or Resources. Section 401 (g) of the LMRDA prohibits the use of any employer or union funds to promote the candidacy of any person to union office. Any expenditure on behalf of a candidate, even if the amount is small, is a violation and constitutes grounds to set aside an election. Campaigning on union or company time is prohibited.
  1. Meeting with Candidates

At 3:00 p.m. on September 4, 2025, the Election Committee will meet with all candidates to discuss: election procedures, inspection of the union’s membership list, distribution of campaign literature, observers, and other campaign rules. This meeting will be conducted via video conference. A link will be provided prior to the meeting.

  1. Inspection of the Membership List

Each potential candidate may inspect Local 121RN’s membership list for their particular bargaining unit once within 30 days prior to the mailing of the ballots. That 30-day period runs from September 5, 2025 through October 6, 2025. No candidate is entitled to receive a copy of the list. The membership list will be available for inspection at Local 121RN’s Pasadena office. Any member wishing to inspect the membership list should inform the election committee of the date and time they would like to inspect the list, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from September 5, 2025 through October 6, 2025, and the Election Committee (at electionscommittee@seiu121rn.org) will coordinate with the Membership Department to ensure someone is available for the review by candidates.

  1. Distribution of Campaign Literature

Local 121RN will contract with a mailing house that will be authorized to use the membership list to distribute campaign literature to members at the candidate’s expense. The candidate shall notify the Election Committee of their desire to use the mailing house to distribute campaign material. The Election Committee shall notify the mailing house that the candidate is approved to use the membership list for mailing of campaign material. The candidate shall be responsible for pre-paying the cost of the mailing, including the cost of postage at the appropriate rate (i.e. not at the non-profit rate afforded to Local 121RN) and coordinating with the Election Committee regarding any mailing.

  1. Campaign Restrictions

Federal law prohibits the use of any union or employer funds to promote the candidacy of any person in a union officer election. This prohibition applies to cash, facilities, equipment, vehicles, office supplies, etc., of Local 121RN and any other union, and of employers whether or not they employ Local 121RN members. Union officers and employees may not campaign on time paid for by the union. Federal law also provides that candidates must be treated equally regarding the opportunity to campaign and that all members may support the candidates of their choice without being subject to penalty, discipline, or reprisal of any kind.

  1. Voter Eligibility

As provided in Local 121RN Bylaws, any member who has paid dues and is current through June 30, 2025 prior to August 27, 2025 will be eligible to vote in this election. SEIU, Local 121RN’s bylaws define good standing as follows: Anyone eligible for membership under Article 4 who has filed an application and who is current with dues and initiation fees pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement shall be considered to be in good standing.

  1. Observers

Candidates are entitled to have observers present at all phases of the election, including the tally of ballots. Candidates should submit the names of their observer(s) via e-mail to electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org prior to the mailing of the ballots.

  1. Election Process

MK Elections, a neutral third-party election monitor, will conduct this election via mail-in ballot, assuring secrecy and accuracy.

Ballots will be mailed on or about October 8, 2025. In the event that a member does not receive a ballot by 5 p.m. on October 15, 2025, the member must call (209) 259 6740. The member shall provide MK Elections with their name, work location, and current physical mailing address. The member must also affirm that they have not received a ballot and that they have not cast a ballot in this election. The deadline for requesting a replacement ballot is by 5:00 p.m. on October 22, 2025. Completed ballots must be received in the designated P.O. Box no later than 9:00 a.m., November 3, 2025.

Election protest and appeals must be filed by no later than 5 p.m. on November 18, 2025 to the election committee at electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org.

  1. Tally of Ballots

Ballots will be counted on November 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pasadena office, 1040 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103. The Election Committee with MK Election officials will pick up ballots at 9:00 a.m. on November 3, 2025. Candidates are entitled to have an observer during this process.

The candidate who receives the highest number of votes cast for each office will be declared elected. In the event a candidate runs unopposed, the candidate will win by acclamation and will not appear on the ballot.

  1. Election Results

The election results will be posted on Local 121RN’s web page by 5:00 pm on the day of the counting of the ballots.

  1. Election Records

All nomination and election records will be maintained at the Pasadena office of Local 121RN for at least one year after the election, as required by federal law. The Election Committee shall take reasonable efforts to store the records in a manner that will maintain the integrity of the election process.

  1. Questions or Problems

Candidates and members with questions about the nomination or election procedures should contact the Election Committee at electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org.

Any violation of these rules should be reported promptly to the Election Committee so that corrective action can be taken, if necessary.

  1. Protests and Appeals

Election protest and appeals must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on November 18, 2025 to the election committee at electionscommittee@SEIU121RN.org.

The above rules are not all inclusive. Additional election rules or clarifications may be issued by the Election Committee as needed during the nomination and election period.

Members and candidates are directed to WWW.SEIU121RN.ORG for any additional rules or clarifications issued by the Election Committee.

Issued By: Local 121RN Election Committee

Kerry Cavazos, RN, Riverside Community Hospital

Jacque Gray, RN, Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Guillermo Mendoza-Lujan, RN, Pomona Valley Medical Center

Date: July 17, 2025

2025 SEIU 121RN EXECUTIVE OFFICER ELECTIONS GENERAL INFORMATION*

This is an election year for 121RN (Local-wide) Executive Officers (i.e., President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer) consistent with Local 121RN’s By-Laws. Officers elected this year will serve a three-year term, beginning at the first Executive Board meeting of January 2026.

Please make note of the following important dates in the election process.

On or about
August 1
Election Notice distributed via email, website, union bulletin boards and regular mail.
On or about
August 1
Nomination petition will be distributed via email, website and union bulletin boards.
August 28Submission deadline for nomination petitions with valid signatures (must be received by no later than 5 p.m.).
Between August 28 and August 29Election committee will review nomination petitions for eligibility.
September 3Deadline for nominees to appeal determination of ineligibility by elections committee and replace signatures of ineligible nominators (by no later than 4 p.m.).
September 4 at
3 p.m.
Election Committee will meet with all candidates via video conference.
September 5 – October 630-day period for nominees to inspect membership list in person (once during this period).
On or about
October 8
Ballots mailed to eligible voters. Voters who do not receive ballots must request replacement ballot by no later than 5 p.m. on October 22.
November 3Ballots to be counted at SEIU 121RN Pasadena headquarters. Election results will be posted on seiu121rn.org by 5:00 pm.
November 18Deadline to file election protests and appeals.

Important eligibility information: Only members in good standing for a full two-year period prior to the nomination are eligible to run or nominate candidates. To be eligible, members must be current on all dues owed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025. Any members not current on dues must issue payment for dues in arrears for the period listed by no later than 5 p.m. on August 27, 2025. For information on how to do this, please email: electionscommittee@seiu121rn.org. *Visit www.seiu121rn.org/2025-elections for more detailed information.

NOMINATION PETITION

Nomination petitions for the offices of President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer are available for download here. Nomination forms are due by August 28, 2025, and must be received by no later than 5 PM.

Published On: July 15, 2025|Categories: Union Updates|

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