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SEIU Local 1000’s contract stalemate took a turn earlier this week when it announced a strike vote, putting pressure on the state. Voting started Wednesday and will continue into early October.
Read more SEIU Local 1000 negotiations remain stagnant despite looming strike vote
The union’s chief negotiator, Bobby Roy, said bargaining remains paused Thursday. SEIU Local 1000 has been in an extended caucus since Aug. 1, meaning it’s not physically with the state.
“Our last communication with them was if they had something for us, that we would come back to the table,” Roy said. “Otherwise, …. there’s no real reason to meet.”
SEIU Local 1000 started negotiations in April because its contract expired at the end of June. Union officials asked for 20% raises across three years, telework benefits — which would include $25 commuting stipends for those required to work in-person — and health benefits to ensure accessibility to affordable medical services.
The state denied requests that could affect the budget, including raises, according to SEIU Local 1000. More than half of these requests were denied on the same day the contract expired, June 30.
“Right now, the state has offered zero raises,” Roy said.
SEIU Local 1000 filed a charge against the state in July with the Public Employment Relations Board, accusing the state of bargaining in bad faith, citing the last-minute denials.
The union complaint accuses the state of using a 2025 side letter agreement, which deferred a 3% wage increase scheduled for summer 2026 to 2027, as rationale for denying the proposals.
That side letter agreement states, “This side letter does not preclude bargaining of the parties’ successor MOU to the current MOU.”
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It could take several months before a deal is made, according to Roy, who said the union isn’t going to rush to make a deal because that’s when mistakes are made. He also said there’s been discussion about waiting until there’s a new governor in office, possibly extending negotiations into the new year.
“That has been talked about, but we are willing to work with any administration that is willing to negotiate in good faith,” Roy said.
The California Department of Human Resources has said it’s bargaining in good faith.
“Negotiations with SEIU Local 1000 are ongoing, and the bargaining table remains open,” CalHR spokesperson Angela Musallam wrote in a statement Thursday.
SEIU Local 1000, the largest state worker union representing about 100,000 members, has endorsed Democrat Xavier Becerra for governor. The endorsement comes as Republican Steve Hilton expressed desires to abolish the Department of Motor Vehicles and cut the state workforce by 10%.
“We endorsed and are hopeful with Xavier Becerra, because I think he’ll bring a different approach,” SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls previously said. “I think he’ll listen to his workers.”
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