SEIU Local 1000 members began a one-day strike Wednesday, demanding higher pay, better healthcare and flexibility on return-to-office mandates.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
California state workers launched a one-day strike on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, marking the first work stoppage in the history of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000. The union, which represents more than 100,000 employees across more than 140 state departments, is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to agree to a new contract that addresses pay, healthcare costs and remote work policies.
The union’s primary demands include a 20% general salary increase over three years, broken down into raises of 7% in 2026, 7% in 2027 and 6% in 2028. SEIU Local 1000 is also seeking increased state contributions toward employee healthcare costs, particularly for workers in rural communities facing higher out-of-pocket expenses.
A central point of contention is the state’s return-to-office mandate. Newsom ordered state workers to return to the office four days a week by July 1. The union argues that remote work saves the state money on office space and improves work-life balance. They are calling for telework policies based on operational needs that provide greater transparency.
Anica Walls, the union's president, stated the strike was necessary due to the administration's failure to bargain in good faith. "We are going on strike because we know the Newsom administration can and must do better," Walls said in a statement. "They must return to the table and bargain in good faith toward a contract that allows state workers to afford groceries, childcare, rent and other necessities."
Union officials reported that 96.2% of members who participated in a strike authorization vote earlier this month supported the walkout. The union contends that the administration has resisted meaningful negotiations and previously deferred salary increases while pursuing broad telework restrictions.
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), which represents the administration in collective bargaining, stated it was coordinating with the union and state departments to manage potential disruptions. "The department remains focused on achieving a fair and responsible agreement and continues to be available at the bargaining table," CalHR said in a statement.
Gov. Newsom, who is preparing to leave office in January and is eyeing a 2028 presidential run, has argued that the return-to-office mandate would improve workplace collaboration and innovation. Last month, he vetoed a bill backed by the union that would have required state agencies to provide written justification for requiring workers to report to the office.
The strike follows an unfair practice claim filed by the union in July. Last week, both sides filed new unfair practice charges against each other with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). The board rejected the Newsom administration’s request to halt the strike, allowing the walkout to proceed for approximately 95,000 workers, subject to essential-staffing requirements.
Ahead of the strike, questions arose regarding whether employees must notify supervisors of their absence. Both the union and a private lawyer whose firm has represented the state indicated that employees are not obligated to notify their supervisors if they plan to strike.
"It’s totally voluntary if you want to tell your supervisor," said Bobby Dalton G. Roy, the union’s chief negotiator. Alec Tyra, a senior counsel at Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard, noted that California labor relations statutes do not have an advanced notice requirement for strike plans.
Regarding timesheets, Roy advised workers to consult their individual supervisors, as different departments use different timekeeping systems. While an absence might be marked as "absent without leave" (AWOL), Roy stated that a single day should not trigger the state’s automatic resignation statute, which applies after five consecutive working days of absence. Tyra added that using an AWOL code as a basis for discipline would constitute an unfair practice charge.
This event marks a significant escalation in labor relations between California’s largest public employee union and the state government. As the first strike in SEIU Local 1000’s history, it tests the limits of bargaining power regarding post-pandemic work policies. The outcome could influence how other state agencies and public sector unions negotiate return-to-office mandates and compensation packages in an era of shifting workplace norms.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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