SEIU Local 1000, which represents approximately 100,000 public employees across California, has authorized a one-day statewide walkout scheduled for October 21. The union announced Thursday morning that 96% of its voting members approved the strike. The union seeks better pay, more affordable healthcare coverage, and increased flexibility for remote work arrangements. Union President Anica Walls stated that state employees are taking an important step, exercising their right to demand respect, fair compensation, and protection for their work.
The union’s current contract expired on June 30, and it is advocating for a more substantial raise and improved benefits than the state administration has offered. SEIU Local 1000 argues that the state has the financial capacity to meet these demands, citing a $20 billion increase in general fund spending over the last two years.
Further escalating the dispute, the union filed a complaint with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board. The complaint accused CalHR, the state agency responsible for labor negotiations, of engaging in bad faith bargaining practices, delaying discussions, and outright rejecting proposals. In late September, the board sided with the union, concluding that CalHR had "refused to meet and confer in good faith."
In response to the board's findings, Angela Musallam, CalHR’s deputy director of communications, stated in an email that the state remained open to negotiation and was prepared to move into mediation to help reach an agreement. Musallam also mentioned that CalHR’s focus continued to be on achieving a fair and responsible agreement, and that they remained available at the bargaining table.
A statewide walkout would be a significant event for SEIU Local 1000, marking the first in the 44-year history of the various labor groups that eventually formed Local 1000. The union nearly initiated a strike in 2016, but an agreement reached at the last moment with then-Governor Jerry Brown prevented it.
SEIU Local 1000 represents nearly half of the state government workforce, encompassing a diverse range of professions including nurses, clerks, program analysts, information technology staff, and custodians. Should a strike occur, union President Walls noted that Californians could experience immediate disruptions, such as delays in services at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and at state unemployment and disability insurance offices.
The union’s previous three-year contract provided workers with three consecutive 3% raises, with many also receiving additional special salary adjustments. This agreement was projected to cumulatively increase state spending by $1.5 billion at the time. However, a subsequent state budget crisis altered these plans. The Newsom administration withheld an additional 1% raise that was slated for 2025, contingent on certain economic conditions being met.
To address the budget deficit, unions, including SEIU Local 1000, agreed to temporary pay reductions in June 2025, which effectively negated the promised salary increase from the earlier contract. Additionally, Local 1000 postponed a raise that was scheduled to begin on July 1 until the following summer. As part of these agreements, civil servants received extra days off, which they have the option to cash out in the future.
Walls emphasized the union's perspective on their economic impact, noting they represent less than 3% of the budget. She elaborated that union members perform essential work that sustains necessary benefits for Californians and that, to continue these services, they simply seek good faith bargaining from the administration. Walls confirmed the union's resolve, stating that its demands would remain firm regardless of changes in state administrations.