State workers to hold strike vote as negotiations drag on

(FOX40.COM) — The union representing most California state workers announced Monday it will hold a strike authorization vote as contract negotiations drag on. At a news conference on Labor Day, leaders with SEIU Local 1000 announced its more than 100,000 members will begin voting in the coming days. If a majority approves the strike, union leaders would have the authority to call a strike amid negotiations with Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration. 'Today, we are announcing a historic step for our union,' Anica Walls, president of SEIU Local 1000, told FOX40 in a statement. 'A YES vote sends a clear message to the state: We are united, we are serious and we are prepared to strike.' SEIU 1000's current contract with the state expired June 30 amid widespread worker frustration over the governor's return-to-office mandate. The rule, which took effect July 1, requires workers to be in-office four days each week with one remote day — a significant change from the state's post-pandemic policy that allowed for three remote days each week with only two required in-person days. As negotiations between the union and the state continued, SEIU 1000 filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge July 22, alleging state negotiators have failed to bargain fairly. According to the union, the strike authorization vote 'stems directly from the state's alleged unfair practices.' 'State workers are ready to hold the line until the Newsom administration, or its successor, bargains fairly to reach a contract that recognizes state workers' hard work and essential functions,' SEIU 1000 said in a news release Monday morning. Sarah Kirkendall, a licensed vocational nurse for California's Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, says workers don't want to strike — but the administration is forcing their hands. 'We want to do our jobs. But if the Newsom administration refuses to bargain in good faith, we have to be ready to stand together' Kirkendall said in a statement provided by the union. 'I'm ready to vote yes to authorize a strike.' The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The union, which represents a wide variety of state employees, has never gone on strike against the state of California. Its members last authorized a strike in 2016 amid negotiations with then-Gov. Jerry Brown, going as far as calling a one-day strike before calling off the work stoppage at the last moment. According to a social media post from the union, the strike authorization vote will open Wednesday. SEIU 1000 will hold an 'Ask the Officers' Q&A callon Tuesday for workers with questions about the vote. In addition to contract negotiations, SEIU 1000 is also still pushing for Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1729, which passed the Legislature just before the end of this year's session. The bill would call on state agencies to reassess their telework policies, which supporters say would improve flexibility and transparency while saving taxpayers upwards of $200 million each year. 'Our message is simple: California legislators have spoken and state workers deserve fair telework policies that use taxpayer dollars responsibly,' SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls told FOX in a statement. Even if Newsom vetoes the bill, the Legislature could override that decision — more than two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber voted to pass AB 1729 earlier this year.