Key facts
- SEIU Local 1000 represents approximately 100,000 public employees.
- The union's contract expired on June 30.
- Union proposals included a 20% salary increase over three years and flexible telework.
- About 5,000 workers have been deemed essential and will report to work.
Thousands of California state workers were poised to strike Wednesday as contract negotiations between SEIU Local 1000 and Governor Gavin Newsom's administration reached an impasse. The union, which represents about 100,000 public employees, has been pushing for higher wages, flexible telework policies, and increased state contributions to healthcare. The contract expired on June 30, and the union claims state officials rejected key proposals, including a 20% salary increase over three years. Union representatives also filed a complaint alleging the state engaged in bad faith bargaining. California's department of human resources had reportedly sought to block the strike, but the labor board identified approximately 5,000 essential workers who will continue to report to work.