California's biggest state workers union eyes strike over pay and remote-work clash with Newsom

SEIU Local 1000, the largest state-employee union in California with 100,000 members, warned that a strike vote will be held from Wednesday through Oct. 7 as talks with Governor Gavin Newsom’s team break down. Union leader Anica Walls claimed the administration has refused to negotiate in good faith on issues such as salary increases, affordable health care and workable telework policies, rejecting proposals without offering alternatives.

Negotiations, which began on April 22, have produced no new contract since the previous agreement expired on June 30. Even if the membership votes for a strike, the union must notify the state and the Public Employment Relations Board, which can block the action to protect essential services. The California Department of Human Resources said it will continue to seek a fair agreement and explore options to maintain critical public functions. The dispute follows earlier protests against Newsom’s return-to-office order and marks the first time the union has considered an unfair-practice strike.