SEIU Local 1000 Plans Statewide One-Day Strike

SEIU Local 1000 planned a one-day statewide strike Wednesday, October 21, as negotiations with California over a new labor contract remained unresolved. The walkout was expected to involve tens of thousands of state employees and could disrupt services at public offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and unemployment offices. Its actual participation and effects were not yet established. The union, which represents about 100,000 California government workers, said its demands include a 20% wage increase over three years, higher state contributions toward health care costs and more flexible telework policies. The previous three-year agreement expired June 30. The proposed pay increase is structured as 7% in 2026, 7% in 2027 and 6% in 2028, according to the union. SEIU Local 1000 has accused Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration of failing to bargain in good faith. The union says the dispute also concerns the state’s return-to-office policy, which requires employees to work in person four days a week. The administration has said it remains available for negotiations; the California Department of Human Resources said it was coordinating with state agencies and that they...