Luke Ford

Grok says:

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California is a significant labor organization representing about 750,000 workers across various sectors, including healthcare, janitorial services, social work, and public employment. Its size and influence make it one of the largest and most powerful unions in California, with considerable resources to mobilize members and advocate for worker and immigrant rights. SEIU California has a history of political activism, often aligning with progressive causes, including immigration reform and opposition to federal immigration enforcement policies.

Regarding the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles on June 6-7, 2025, SEIU California’s involvement centers on the actions of its president, David Huerta, and the union’s public stance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Huerta was detained during a protest on June 6, reportedly for obstructing federal agents by blocking their vehicle while documenting an ICE operation in downtown Los Angeles. SEIU California stated that Huerta was exercising his First Amendment rights as a community observer, condemning his arrest and injuries sustained during the incident, which required hospital treatment before his transfer to the Metropolitan Detention Center. The union called for his immediate release and denounced the ICE raids as “cruel, destructive, and indiscriminate,” arguing they harm communities and working people.

There is no definitive evidence that SEIU California directly organized or incited the protests that escalated into riots, characterized by clashes with law enforcement, tear gas deployment, and reported violence such as throwing concrete pieces or setting fires. However, the union’s vocal opposition to ICE and Huerta’s presence at the protests suggest a leadership role in rallying community resistance. Posts on X speculate about SEIU’s broader influence, with some claiming the union has a vested interest in protecting undocumented workers, who may be among its members, and accusing it of mobilizing against ICE. These claims lack corroboration from primary sources and reflect polarized sentiment rather than fact.

Critics, including federal officials and some X users, allege that SEIU’s actions and rhetoric contribute to unrest. For instance, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated Huerta was arrested for interfering with federal officers, not merely observing, and faces arraignment for his actions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE officials have accused Democratic leaders, including those tied to SEIU, of fueling violence through inflammatory rhetoric. Conversely, SEIU and supporters, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, frame Huerta’s detention as an attack on peaceful protest and immigrant rights, emphasizing solidarity with affected communities.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), specifically through its affiliate SEIU United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), played a key role in securing a $30 per hour minimum wage for janitors and other tourism industry workers, including those at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance on May 23, 2025, that will incrementally increase the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers, including janitors, to $30 per hour by July 2028, in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.