North America

California’s Largest State-Worker Union Announces Strike-Authorization Vote

Published Sep 7, 2026

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of hands placing a plain envelope in a ballot box, adapted from a May 2017 photograph; symbolic voting context, not the reported election, voters or voting method. — AI courtroom sketch of hands placing a plain envelope in a ballot box, adapted from a May 2017 photograph; symbolic voting context, not the reported election, voters or voting method. Adapted from the credited reference. Arnaud Jaegers 2017-05-07 (Unsplash).jpg — Arnaud Jaegers; CC0.

SEIU Local 1000 said members will vote on authorizing a strike over alleged unfair bargaining by California’s Department of Human Resources. The union represents roughly 100,000 state employees, and its three-year contract expired June 30. It filed an unfair-practice charge July 22 and is seeking a 20% general salary increase over three years, higher state health-care contributions and telework rules tied to operational needs. A majority of participating members must approve authorization, which would empower union leaders to call a strike but would not itself begin one. Sources differ on whether voting began Monday or starts September 9.

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seiu1000.orgSecondary sources:1 2

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