SACRAMENTO, Calif. —LIVE | SEIU 1000 workers march in SacramentoWatch on
Thousands of California state workers walked off the job on Wednesday in a historic one-day strike.
The May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento was one of multiple sites where state workers were striking.
The union SEIU Local 1000 is leading the strike, fighting the state over a new contract. The union is seeking a 20% pay raise over three years, along with reductions in healthcare costs and changes to telework policies.
Workers rallied downtown Sacramento at noon. Employees considered essential were exempt from the walkout.
SEIU last authorized a strike in 2016, but did not go on strike across the state.
The union represents around 100,000 state workers across 140 state departments and agencies, including cooks, custodians, nurses and office staff.
CalHR released the following statement about the strike: “CalHR remains focused on achieving a fair and responsible agreement with SEIU Local 1000 and continues to be available at the bargaining table. The department also continues to coordinate with the union and state departments to ensure all necessary preparations are in place. Additionally, departments maintain regularly updated contingency plans that can be activated as needed to address any potential disruptions in government operations. As part of these preparedness efforts, CalHR continues to provide guidance, training, and support to state departments.”
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