California State Workers Union Moves Toward Strike Authorization Vote

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 announced that its members will vote on authorizing an unfair-practice strike. The vote follows the expiration of the union’s three-year contract on June 30 and a charge filed with the Public Employment Relations Board on July 22. A majority “yes” vote would give the union authority to call a statewide strike—the first such action in its history.

KCRA 3California state worker union to vote on whether to authorize historic strike Sacramento Bee

Negotiations for a new contract began in April 2024. The union accuses Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration of bargaining in bad faith, citing last-minute rejections of proposals with budget implications. The dispute also centers on telework benefits, a proposed $25 commuting stipend for in-person workers, and broader pay-equity concerns.

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• Union membership: reported as “around 100,000” state workers.

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• Contract priorities: a 20 % salary increase over three years, higher state contributions toward health-care costs, and transparent telework policies.

California state worker union to vote on whether to authorize historic strike

• Scientists’ raises: proposed adjustments of 3 %–5 % for state-employed scientists, totaling about $8.8 million, were omitted from the budget.

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• Unfair-practice filing: the union filed a charge on July 22 after the contract expired, alleging surface bargaining and inflexible negotiations.

California state worker union to vote on whether to authorize historic strike

• Bobby Roy, chief negotiator for Local 1000, emphasized the union’s readiness to bargain and urged the administration to do the same.

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• “If necessary, the state will explore all available options and implement those that reasonably protect critical public services,” — Newsom, spokesperson Angela Musallam, CalHR.

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• The governor’s office indicated any strike would be subject to PERB review before proceeding.

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• Bob Holtz, chair of the bargaining unit for professional educators and librarians, said workers deserve respect for their work.

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• Talene Ghazarian, president of CASE, criticized the administration and pledged continued vocal opposition.

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• Matthew Gauger, vice president of CASE, added that the administration is “simply not willing to negotiate” on the RTO mandate.

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• Union size: sources differ on the exact number of represented workers (? 100,000 vs. ? 96,000).

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• Scientists’ raises: CAPS-UAW vice president Justin Garcia said the legislature was unaware of the raise issue and blamed for the omission.

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• Outcome of the vote: results are slated for early October, with no definitive timeline for negotiations.

California state worker union to vote on whether to authorize historic strike

• “We’re proud of the work we do, and we deserve the respect for that work,” — Bob Holtz

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• “We are not feeling that this administration is acting in the interest of the state worker, of the labor movement and we’re gonna continue to be loud about that,” — Talene Ghazarian

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• “If necessary, the state will explore all available options and implement those that reasonably protect critical public services,” — Newsom, Angela Musallam

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If the authorization vote passes, SEIU Local 1000 would notify PERB and the state, triggering a review of the strike’s legality and protective measures for essential services. The union expects to announce the vote outcome and next steps in early October.

California state worker union to vote on whether to authorize historic strike