{"id":504057,"date":"2026-10-22T09:56:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/504057\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T09:56:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T09:56:41","slug":"california-state-workers-rally-for-one-day-strike-outside-state-capitol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/504057\/","title":{"rendered":"California state workers rally for one-day strike outside state Capitol"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Abridged version:<\/p>\n

California state workers abandoned the office for strike lines Wednesday, protesting what they call unfair contract bargaining tactics by Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s administration. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s the first time in Service Employees International Union Local 1000\u2019s history that members have gone on strike.<\/p>\n

Hear from state workers firsthand about what drove them to the strike line.<\/p>\n

This story has been updated with live coverage from the strike lines in Sacramento, from Department of Education and CalHR to the Capitol.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s largest\u00a0state worker\u00a0union is striking for the first time\u00a0Wednesday,\u00a0marking only the second\u00a0work stoppage in history by California civil servants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nearly three years since over 4,000 state scientists staged the first California employee walkout<\/a>, Service Employees International Union Local 1000 members across multiple agencies will demonstrate in Downtown Sacramento on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Local 1000, which represents nearly 100,000 state workers, hasn\u2019t come this close to striking since a decade ago, when its members authorized a strike under then-Gov. Jerry Brown<\/a>.\u00a0The union called the strike off when the sides reached a contract deal two days before. \u00a0<\/p>\n

But no such deal had materialized with Gov. Gavin Newsom by early Wednesday morning,\u00a0when workers showed up early to picket state offices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Update 2:35 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21<\/p>\n

Thousands of marching state workers reached the Capitol Annex Swing Space by about 1:30 p.m. Employees in the government building could be seen looking out second-floor windows at the crowd of thousands below, which unfurled a large SEIU banner in the street. <\/p>\n

The demonstrators soon moved toward the Capitol, reaching the lawn before returning back to the streets leading to the building. A Sacramento Transit light rail car halted at its stop on O Street and pumped its horn apparently in support of the state workers.<\/p>\n

Rain began to fall as the crowd started to disperse. <\/p>\n

\"WorkersCalifornia state workers represented by SEIU Local 1000 march toward the state Capitol on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"Marchers\"State workers with SEIU Local 1000 march near Fremont Park on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

At the march\u2019s final stop, opposite the front doors of the swing space, Cal Fire finance analyst Shannon McKenna reflected on the day of striking.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s willing to take part in another work stoppage \u201cas long as it takes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in it to win it,\u201d McKenna said. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have to take a second job or work overtime to pay my bills.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe run this state \u2026 nothing would happen without us,\u201d she added. \u201cI say that with my full chest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Marching\"State workers with SEIU Local 1000 march near Fremont Park on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"TruckA flatbed truck passes near Fremont Park in Sacramento during the SEIU Local 1000 strike on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

Update: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21<\/p>\n

Shortly after noon, SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls took to the stage \u2014 the back of a flatbed parked outside of the California Department of Human Resources building on 16th street.<\/p>\n

Kicking off her speech, she shouted to a crowd, \u201cfor the first time in history, we are on strike!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cState workers have shown up for Californians time and time again, and when the administration refuses to do right by its workers, we have a choice,\u201d she said. \u201cWe can stand by and let it happen, or we can do what we\u2019re doing today: we can stand and fight back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"SEIU Local 1000 president Anica Walls rallied state workers outside of the California Human Resources Department building in Downtown Sacramento during a one-day strike on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

As Walls ticked through the union\u2019s economic proposals, and the Newsom administration\u2019s responses, her mention of telework brought a cheer from the crowd of at least 1,000 people gathered in the middle of 16th street.<\/p>\n

Walls hinted at future labor actions if bargaining dynamics don\u2019t improve. <\/p>\n

\u201cToday may be our strike day, but it won\u2019t be the last time we collectively show our power \u2026 if they continue to bargain in bad faith, we are prepared to escalate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The union president also urged state workers to remember which candidates support labor heading into Election Day on Nov. 3.<\/p>\n

\"StateState workers rally on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"\"California state workers rally outside of the California Human Resources Department building in Downtown Sacramento during a one-day strike Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

Jesse McDonald-Ryan stood among thousands of Local 1000 members around noon at the 16th and R street intersection.<\/p>\n

As an analyst for CalRecycle, McDonald-Ryan is already able to work from home two days a week. He hopes negotiations will result in a change in the administration\u2019s staunch return-to-office position many of his state colleagues must follow.<\/p>\n

He also hopes for a change for the sake of the quality of candidates the state can attract. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe want good employees to work for the state, in terms of recruitment, I think it makes the state a way more competitive place to work\u201d to allow telework, he said.<\/p>\n

\"Man\"Jesse McDonald-Ryan is an analyst for CalRecycle and is hoping for a change in Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s return to office policy. (Cameron Clark)<\/p>\n

Update: 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21<\/p>\n

About 400 people gathered outside the Secretary of State building Wednesday morning, opposite the front windows of the Capitol Annex Swing Space, which contains most California lawmakers\u2019 offices.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain and again, state employees have been asked to carry California\u2019s budget burdens,\u201d Josh Guile, a state worker and president of the union\u2019s District Labor Council 768, said to the crowd. <\/p>\n

\u201cEnough is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd answered with shouts and peals on plastic horns, and someone shouted, \u201cNewsom sucks!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ManJosh Guile, a Secretary of State employee and president of District Labor Council 768, speaks at the SEIU Local 100 strike on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"AA crowd rallies in front of the Secretary of State\u2019s office during the SEIU Local 100 strike on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

As commuters finished their drives to work, at about 9:30 am, strikers were still getting plenty of support from those driving through the intersection of 11th and O streets, with a steady stream of honking from passing cars.<\/p>\n

Outside the Secretary of State\u2019s office at about 10 a.m., Letticia Gilmore, an office technician with the State Water Resources Control Board, said her message to the administration would be to return to the bargaining table. <\/p>\n

\u201cI want the governor, the negotiating team, to understand, that what we do matters \u2026 give us the benefits, the contract that we deserve to have,\u201d Gilmore said.<\/p>\n

She said her top priority for a new contract is raises.<\/p>\n

\"Woman\"Letticia Gilmore, an office technician with the State Water Resources Control Board, said her top priority for a new contract is raises. (Cameron Clark)<\/p>\n

Raises are particularly important for state workers who have risen as high as they can in their job classification, who can no longer receive performance-based raises, making yearly raises critical.<\/p>\n

Regarding public perception of state employees\u2019 plight,\u00a0 Gilmore said, \u201cstate workers get a bad rep \u2026 but if you look at myself \u2026 and my coworkers, we deal with a lot, especially if we deal with the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Members of SEIU Local 1000 take a selfie in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

Update: 9:25 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21<\/p>\n

On the strike line together were Kai Ambakad and Troy Dujardin, both Employment Development Department trainers, picketing outside the YMCA, opposite the California Natural Resources Agency building.<\/p>\n

Ambakad said his top issue was pay, and Dujardin said his top priority was what Local 1000 considers unfair practices by the Newsom administration.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the state feels comfortable simply telling us \u2018no\u2019 \u2026 that speaks to the condition of working people everywhere, and the degradation of working people everywhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"TwoKai Ambakad, left, and Troy Dujardin are Employment Development Department trainers. Ambakad said he is open to striking longer. (Cameron Clark)<\/p>\n

Regarding whether he had an appetite for more work stoppages if there\u2019s no deal soon, Dujardin said, \u201cI\u2019m here as long as it takes personally \u2026 I feel the squeeze a little bit, but I\u2019m fortunate I can make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that while missing work would be painful in the short term, a strong contract now would ultimately pay dividends throughout the rest of his career.<\/p>\n

For his part, Ambakad said he\u2019s \u201cmore than open to\u201d striking for longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"Members of SEIU Local 1000 picket in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

Update: 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21<\/p>\n

Picketing outside of the California Natural Resources Agency building in Downtown Sacramento at 7th and P streets, Jim Lane, an analyst with the state office of emergency services, said he would strike \u201cmuch longer if need be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lane said the \u201cfinancials\u201d of the contract dispute with the state is a top priority, and added that telework, a major point of contention between state workers and the Newsom administration, is the best way for him to do his job.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Work life balance\u2019 \u2026 It sounds very good and mushy, but it\u2019s critically important,\u201d Lane said. \u201cI can literally do anything I need to do on my laptop, and have (been able to) for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ManJim Lane, an analyst with Cal OES, said his top priority for a union deal with the administration is a \u201cdecent wage.\u201d (Cameron Clark)<\/p>\n

\"\"Members of SEIU Local 1000 picket in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

Arne Bracchi, an auditor with the California Department of Social Services, said if a deal isn\u2019t forthcoming after today\u2019s one-day strike, he\u2019s willing to strike \u201cas long as it takes.\u201d <\/p>\n

Bracchi, who entered state service in 2005, said his top priorities for a new contract include salary increases and \u201cworking from home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in the twilight of my career \u2026 I work with an outstanding team, a lot of them are the next generation. I\u2019m doing this for them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"ManArne Bracchi, an auditor with the California Department of Social Services, said he\u2019s willing to strike \u201cas long as it takes.\u201d (Cameron Clark)<\/p>\n

\"\"People stand along the street during SEIU Local 1000\u2019s strike in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"\"Asia Murphy with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife pickets with SEIU Local 100 members on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

Update: 7:18 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.<\/p>\n

At least 300 members of SEIU Local 1000 and organizers were gathered at 7th and P streets in Downtown Sacramento after 7 a.m. Wednesday, many wearing purple and marching in picket line circles near sign-in tents set up by the union. Drivers were passing by and honking in support every few minutes.<\/p>\n

\"\"Members of SEIU Local 1000 on strike near 7th and P Streets in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"\"Members of SEIU Local 1000 picket in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

\"\"Members of SEIU Local 1000 picket in Downtown Sacramento on Oct. 21, 2026. (Shelley Ho)<\/p>\n

State worker union on strike <\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s strike marks the latest escalation amid tense negotiations that have been open since spring, before the union\u2019s contract expired in June.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Those escalations have included claims of unfair bargaining tactics by both sides<\/a>, a finding by California\u2019s labor board that negotiations had reached a halt and an attempt by the Newsom administration to block the strike.\u00a0The labor board didn\u2019t agree<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With that momentum, Local 1000 may also intend the action as a show of strength amid its final contract fight with Newsom, who\u2019s set to leave office in January. <\/p>\n

The move may equally be aimed at California\u2019s next governor, who\u2019ll take over future negotiations with the state\u2019s union workforce.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Abridged version: California state workers abandoned the office for strike lines Wednesday, protesting what they call unfair…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":504058,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-504057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=504057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504057\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/504058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=504057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=504057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=504057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}