The largest union representing California’s public sector announced a one-day strike on Oct. 21 after members voted to authorize the strike for the first time.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1000 has cited bad faith bargaining during 2026 contract negotiations with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration over issues that include the return to the office after years of remote work.
(Previous coverage of the issue in the video above.)
The union’s website on Thursday said that 96.2% of members voted yes on the strike authorization. Voting ended on Wednesday evening.
“An Unfair Practice Strike is a strike in response to an employer’s alleged unfair labor practices, where workers collectively stop working to demand that their employer address those unfair labor practices,” a message to members said. “In our case, the strike is in response to the State and the Newsom Administration’s alleged failure to bargain in good faith over the proposals state workers brought to the table during our Contract negotiations.”
SEIU Local 1000 listed locations to join the strike line. In Sacramento, that will include members reporting to their work site for “phase one” ahead of a “phase two” rally at CalHR’s main office, located at 1810 16th Street.
KCRA 3 is reaching out to SEIU Local 1000 and CalHR for comment.
The union said the strike would be done to demand that Newsom’s administration negotiate a contract for higher pay, affordable healthcare and “telework that works.”
This includes:
A 20% general salary increase over three years, which would break down as 7% in 2026 and 2027, and 6% in 2028.Increased contributions toward healthcare costs including “new solutions” for workers in rural communities.
SEIU last authorized a strike in 2016, but did not go on strike across the state. The union represents cooks, custodians, nurses and office staff.
“State workers have spoken loud and clear: we are united, we are ready for what’s to come and we are prepared to hold the line,” said Anica Walls, president of SEIU Local 1000, in a release. “We show up for Californians every single day in state offices, hospitals, schools, libraries and more. We are demanding a contract that recognizes our important work, keeps our jobs sustainable and makes it possible for us to afford to live in the communities we serve. This vote is a notice to the Newsom administration that if they continue to bargain in bad faith, we will take action.”
The union represents around 100,000 state workers across 140 state departments and agencies.
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.
“CalHR does not comment on the union’s internal governance processes or the potential position of its membership,” CalHR previously said about the planned vote. “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.”
The union said the state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) last week moved workers’ unfair practice complaint forward.
The state could potentially file 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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