By admin 
A last-minute deal between the largest state worker union and the California Department of Human Resources didn’t come to fruition. Now thousands of state employees are expected to go on strike Wednesday. It’s slated to be the largest strike in state history.
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“There are no negotiations scheduled before tomorrow’s strike,” said SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls in a statement. “We won’t sit down with the state again until after the strike, so our strike is moving forward.”
This is a shift from the union’s 2016 strike threat when a deal was made in the days leading up to the planned walkout.
SEIU Local 1000, which has about 100,000 members, called for a one-day strike earlier this month after negotiations have been stalled for more than two months. An impasse was called in early October and the two parties started mediations last Thursday.
The union initially asked for a 20% wage increase across three years and more flexible telework options. Union negotiations were considered a last resort to combat Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-day return-to-office mandate.
CalHR previously said negotiations had stalled because the union would only return to the bargaining table if there was a good proposal related to telework policies.
SEIU Local 1000, however, said it awaited a good proposal that would touch on other items as well, including raises and increased healthcare contributions.
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The union’s last contract expired at the end of June. Negotiations started in late April.
The absence of a deal could move eyes from SEIU Local 1000’s negotiations on telework to the upcoming governor’s race. Democrat Xavier Becerra hasn’t explicitly endorsed ending the mandate but said remote work is an important part of a modern workplace. Republican Steve Hilton hasn’t publicly shared an opinion about the return-to-office mandate.
Wednesday’s strike is the second in state history. CAPS-UAW Local 1115, which represents state-employed scientists, went on strike in 2023. Both were under Newsom.
SEIU Local 1000 will hold strike lines at locations across California, including five lines in Sacramento and one in Fresno starting at 7 a.m.
Where are Sacramento-area events?
SEIU Local 1000 announced it will have events at various state offices Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. with sign-in starting at 6:30 a.m. Workers will then head to the California Department of Human Resources headquarters, 1810 16th Street in Sacramento, for a strike line, guest speakers and a march to the Capitol Annex Swing Space.
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The morning strike line locations in Sacramento are:
- Secretary of State, 1500 11th St.
- May Lee Complex, 651 Bannon St.
- Department of Motor Vehicles, 2415 First St.
- California Natural Resources Agency, 715 P St.
- California Department of Education, 1430 N St.
This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 3:38 PM.