Siemens Mobility is one of the largest manufacturing companies in California, collecting over $3 billion globally in revenue last year alone, while its employees fight for improvements to their working conditions and struggle to support their families.
Siemens Workers file for union representation at the NLRB at the San Francisco Federal Building.
February 10, 2025 San Francisco & Sacramento, CA – Today, hundreds of employees at Siemens Mobility in South Sacramento filed a petition for a union election at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) office in San Francisco. The workers publicly announced their intent to unionize as Siemens Workers United – a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) Local 549 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245. An NLRB election is anticipated next month.
The filing is the culmination of a nearly two-year organizing drive.
Alan Scovill, a Quality Assurance Weld Inspector with more than forty years in the field and ten years at Siemens, was the first worker to sign an authorization card. Why did he sign? “I want my co-workers, especially the younger ones, and my own kids to have a better chance at life.” At age 57 and the father of seven kids, Scovill emphasized, “This isn’t about us, it’s about the next generation.” Scovill was one of the workplace leaders who traveled to San Francisco to hand deliver signed worker authorization cards as part of the filing for an NLRB election.
While there are myriad reasons for this unionization effort, Scovill’s concerns can be boiled down to the basics: safer working conditions, better pay, better healthcare, a pension, and a better life.
Simon Yang, a Short Haul Driver, echoed Scovill’s list of demands, saying, “We need higher wages, better management, better training, better pay.” He added, “I like this company, but it can be better … and by going Union, we’ll have representation. We’ll have a way to add our ideas and come together.”
Marian Lucovici, a Test Technician who has worked at Siemens for eight years concurred, saying, “We need our voices to be heard, especially when it comes to pay, safety and fair, equitable treatment. Siemens needs to get the message; that’s why we need the Union.”
IBEW Local 1245 Organizing Stewards rallied with Siemens workers outside of Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, Calif. on February 10, 2025. Joined by Sacramento Councilwoman Mai Vang.
“I want a career, not just a job. An honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work,” declared Jason Hudson, a Painter going on four years at the company.
The primary function of the Siemens South Sacramento plant, which employs an estimated 1,600 production, maintenance, and warehouse workers, is to manufacture rail cars (rolling stock) for public transit agencies in Sacramento and San Francisco.
According to the California Federation of Labor, “Last year, Siemens Mobility brought in $3 billion in revenue globally, a 15% increase from prior years, while its parent company, Siemens AG, saw revenues of nearly $90 billion. Siemens Mobility is one of two finalists in the bid to build the rolling stock for Brightline’s high-speed rail project. It is also considered a serious contender in the ongoing procurement process for rolling stock for California’s historic high-speed rail project.”
While the Company reports record profits, workers at Siemens report taking on second and third jobs to make ends meet.
Safety is a recurring theme as to why workers are organizing. The California Federation of Labor, noted, “Notwithstanding California implementing Cal/OSHA’s indoor heat standard last year, workers at Siemens have reported working in unsafe working conditions, including working through high heat and poorly ventilated workspaces. Some workers have suffered heat illness and two were forced to go to the emergency room for treatment; the situation is under investigation by Cal/OSHA.”
IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Iyasha Davis rallying with Siemens workers.
“This vote is for better job security, better wages, a safer environment,” offered Roger Marroquin. With more than forty years in the field and two years at Siemens, he said, “I’ve witnessed a whole lot of inequality, unfair labor practices, unsafe practices, having people perform duties without adequate qualifications or training. This is for my co-workers and for my six kids.”
Workers rallied outside the plant to leaflet co-workers as the shift change took place. They were joined by local elected officials, the California Federation of Labor, and IBEW 1245 Organizing Stewards, who discussed, in their own terms, what is meant by ‘the union difference.’
Daniel Velasquez, a twenty-three-year-old flooring specialist at Siemens summed up the spirit of the organizing drive, saying, “We’re joining the Union for a better future, basically life for everyone, not just survival.”
A secret ballot, NLRB-sponsored election is expected to take place in mid-March.
– Eileen Purcell, IBEW 1245 Sr. Advisor; Photos in Sacramento by John Storey
Siemens Workers, IBEW 1245 Organizer Rick Thompson & IBB 549 Organizer Pablo Barrera hand deliver authorization cards to NLRB in San Francisco.
Siemens Workers and IBEW 1245 Organizing Stewards rally to celebrate filing for NLRB election at Siemens Mobility Plant in Sacramento.
L-R: Caitlyn Vega (CA Federation of Labor), IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez & Assemblywoman Maggy Krell rally with Seimens workers at Sacramento Plant.
IBEW Local 1245 Organizing Stewards rallied with Siemens workers outside of Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, Calif. on February 10, 2025. Joined by Sacramento Councilwoman Mai Vang.
Siemens workers rally outside of Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, Calif. on February 10, 2025.
Councilwoman Mai Vang, Sacramento Labor Council Executive Director Fabrizio Sasso join rally.
IBB Organizer Eddie Ortiz leafleting workers during shift change.
Leafleting during shift change.
Sacramento Councilmember Caity Maple joins rally in support of Siemens workers.
IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez leafleting Siemens workers at shift change.
IBB Local 549 Organizer Blanca Aguilar talking to a worker.
Organizing Stewards and Sacramento Council Members Mai Vang and Caity Maple.
Leafleting workers during shift change.
IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Kayela Jones rallying with Siemens workers.
IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez leafleting Siemens workers at shift change.
IBEW Local 1245 Organizing Stewards rallying with Siemens workers.
IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Iyasha Davis rallying with Siemens workers.
Siemens Workers file for union representation at the NLRB at the San Francisco Federal Building.