State Employees across California took part in a one-day Strike on Wednesday (October 21st) to protest the (Governor Gavin) Newsom Administration’s “Unfair Labor Practices, including failure to bargain in good faith over fair pay, affordable health care and telework that works for the people who keep California running,” according to a statement from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 - The Golden State’s largest Public Sector Union. It was SEIU Local 1000’s first-ever Statewide Strike - one was authorized back in 2016, but it did not go through on a Statewide level - and it was approved by more than 96% of State Employees. Local 1000 represents more than 100,000 State Employees - including Cooks, Custodians, Nurses and Office Staff. According to SEIU, State Workers have been negotiating a new contract with the Newsom Administration, represented by CalHR, For Months. However, the Union says it has “faced resistance at the bargaining table as CalHR has failed to bargain fairly over key issues, such as pay.” The Union listed its following demands as: A 20% pay increase over three years (7% this year, 7% in 2027 and 6% in 2028); Increased State contributions toward health care costs, as well as new solutions for State Workers in rural communities who Union Officials say face limited options and higher costs for health care; and Transparent Telework Policies based on operational needs. Workers representing over 140 State Departments and Agencies have been clear with the Administration that wage increases, expanded health care benefits and other cost-of-living provisions are necessary to ensure State Workers can continue to deliver high quality services to Californians for years to come, Union Officials said.

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