Workers at Tenderloin affordable housing giant form a union

About 350 workers at the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) in San Francisco announced the formation of a union to demand better wages and job protections. The union, represented by OPEIU Local 29, specifically aims to protect desk clerks' jobs, which are increasingly threatened by automation and surveillance technology. Evan Oravec, a union representative, underscored the clerks' vital role in community safety, stating they manage visitor check-ins and de-escalate conflicts. Workers have experienced stagnant wages and abrupt layoffs, prompting their decision to organize. Rosy Rodriguez, an administrative worker, described recent layoffs as "traumatizing," leading to a culture change at TNDC.

The union hopes to negotiate better working conditions and address the high caseloads faced by social workers. With no wage increases in several years, some workers struggle to afford housing in the city they serve. TNDC, which operates nearly 50 buildings housing around 7,000 residents, reported over $74 million in net assets in its 2023 tax forms.