California’s largest state-workers union plans a statewide strike on Oct. 21 if contract negotiations with the Newsom administration continue to stall.
Service Employees International Union Local 1000 represents about 100,000 state employees. Union representatives said a vote open to those workers showed overwhelming support on Wednesday for a walkout if talks fail to advance. The union says the sides remain far apart over wage raises and telework requirements.
Office workers, cooks, custodians and nurses are among those planning to strike. Union-represented staff also work in libraries, hospitals and agencies including Caltrans, CalFire and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Members in those workplaces have not previously walked off the job. Local 1000 members authorized a strike about a decade ago, but a last-minute contract deal prevented it. Union President Anica Walls said a work stoppage may be necessary to secure an agreement.
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