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San Francisco Superior Court Open for Essential Services During Strike
July 16, 2012 – San Francisco – Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021 called for a strike of San Francisco Superior Court (400 McAllister and 850 Bryant). SEIU represents one of four court unions. In a press release, San Francisco Superior Court states that it is continuing to provide essential court functions today. According to the court, it has mobilized employees represented by other unions, as well as management and unrepresented employees, to provide essential services including criminal, unlawful detainer, civil harassment and juvenile delinquency cases, as well as any other services that must be performed to prevent an imminent threat to the health or safety of the public.
BASF recognizes the grave concerns on all sides of this issue. As a bar association committed to access to justice, we know how important it is that our courtrooms stay open and that everyone working in our courts – from judges to administrators to clerks and staff – receive the resources and support they need to do their jobs in service to the public. BASF Executive Director Daniel Burkhardt stated, "We all recognize that significant cuts to court funding over the past several years have presented considerable challenges to the ability of our courts to remain open and provide access to justice. We hope that all involved will work closely together to ensure that our courts remain open and continue to serve our community."
According to the court’s press release, all clerk’s offices are closed today as a result of the strike; however, there are drop boxes to accommodate filings. The court's self-help center is also closed. Judges who did not need a clerk to proceed are continuing to hold their hearings or conduct bench trials. The court also states that available employees have been shifted from the Civic Center Courthouse to serve as clerks to assure that last-day criminal and juvenile matters were able to proceed at the Hall of Justice and the Youth Guidance Center. Notwithstanding these important accommodations, BASF recognizes the personal dimension that may inform any individual’s decision to cross strike lines.
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