California State Workers Launch Historic One-Day Strike, Disrupting Services
Tens of thousands of employees, including those at the DMV, walk off the job over stalled contract negotiations and disputes on wages, benefits, and remote work policies.
Tens of thousands of California state workers walked off the job on Wednesday, impacting government services such as the Department of Motor Vehicles in what the union calls an unprecedented one-day strike. SEIU Local 1000, representing 100,000 state employees, reported that 96.2% of its voting members supported the strike, which occurred shortly before Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to leave office in January.
Union president Anica Walls stated that the action was in response to alleged bad-faith bargaining by the state. The union has been engaged in protracted negotiations with the Newsom administration regarding wages, benefits, and remote work policies. A particular point of contention has been the governor's directive for state employees to return to the office.
The prior contract for SEIU Local 1000 members expired on June 30, and a new agreement has yet to be finalized. The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) issued a statement indicating readiness to negotiate, saying, “CalHR remains ready to sit down anytime with the union to negotiate a fair and responsible agreement.” The department also emphasized a focus on maintaining essential services for Californians. Mediation between the union and CalHR is scheduled for October 30.
Demonstrations are planned at various state buildings across California, including the Department of Human Resources, the Secretary of State building, the Department of Education May Lee Complex, the Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters, and the Resources Building. Strike lines are also reported in Oakland, Fresno, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Norwalk, and San Bernardino.
Residents may experience service delays at the DMV and state unemployment and disability insurance offices. Walls advised the public to exercise patience and reschedule appointments if needed due to limited services.
Approximately 5,000 workers are deemed essential and are legally excluded from participating in the strike due to potential threats to public health or safety. This marks the first time SEIU Local 1000 has initiated a strike; a previous strike vote in 2016 concluded with a labor agreement reached before any walkout occurred.