SEIU 1000, union representing California’s public sector, announces vote to authorize strike
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The largest union representing California’s public sector is moving forward with the possibility of going on strike.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1000 announced Monday that its members will be holding a vote to authorize a strike, citing bad faith with Gov. Gavin Newsom over negotiations that include the issue of returning to the office after years of remote work.
If the majority of SEIU 1000’s members vote yes on authorizing a strike, the union said it would have the authority to launch an unfair practice strike. The strike would be done to demand that the Newsom administration negotiate a contract for higher pay, affordable health care and “telework that works.”
SEIU, in a news release, emphasized that an unfair practice strike would be historic, having last authorized a strike in 2016 and never striking across the state. The union represents cooks, custodians, nurses and office staff.
“SEIU Local 1000 members keep California running every day. You’ll find us across every state department–at the DMV and EDD, at Caltrans, and in state prisons, hospitals and schools,” SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls said in a news release. “Today, we are announcing a historic step for our union. A YES vote sends a clear message to the State: We are united, we are serious and we are prepared to strike.”
The union represents around 100,000 state workers.
According to SEIU 1000, the state workers’ union contract expired June 30. Workers brought forth an unfair practice charge on July 22 with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board.
KCRA 3 has reached out to Newsom’s office for comment. His office said the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) would respond on behalf of the administration.
“CalHR does not comment on the union’s internal governance processes or the potential position of its membership,” CalHR said afterward. “The state will continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement. If necessary, the state will explore all available options and implement those that reasonably protect critical public services.”
Should the union vote to strike, the union would notify the state and Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).
If that happens, the state could potentially filed a request with PERB to “protect critical public services.”
It would be up to PERB to determine if the proposed strike complies with applicable labor laws and regulations before the strike could go forward.
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