Thousands of California public employees set to strike over contract

Thousands of California state workers were set to strike on Wednesday, rallying outside government buildings in several cities, as tensions boiled over lapsed contract negotiations with Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration.

SEIU Local 1000, a union that represents roughly 100,000 public employees, including nurses and teachers, has been pushing for higher wages, flexible telework and affordable healthcare.

The union has been at an impasse with the state since its contract expired on 30 June.

SEIU Local 1000’s negotiators say state officials rejected their key proposals: a 20% salary increase over three years, higher state healthcare contributions and flexible telework – Newsom has required state workers to be in office four days a week.

Union representatives also argued in a complaint filed with California’s public employment relations board that the state engaged in bad faith bargaining, by allegedly waiting until 30 June to respond to some of the proposals and saying there was “no money” for additional compensation.

The state has not commented publicly on the status of the contract negotiations, citing confidentiality.

A spokesperson for Newsom’s office did not immediately comment on the work stoppage.

Wednesday’s picketing marked a first for the union.

California’s department of human resources (CalHR) had reportedly attempted to block the strike, arguing the union did not have plans to exempt essential workers and thus was compromising public health and safety. The labor board determined a list of about 5,000 workers deemed essential, according to the union, who will report to work during the strike.