California union threatens strike in war over pay with Gavin Newsom administration

California’s largest state workers’ union is threatening to strike in a major escalation of an ongoing feud over wages, benefits and remote work with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration.

SEIU Local 1000, which represents 100,000 government employees, said at a Labor Day news conference that members will decide whether to authorize an unfair practice strike, with voting starting Wednesday and ending Oct. 7.

“We have never been on strike before,” said union president Anica Walls at the press conference.

“We got here today because the Newsom administration has refused to bargain in good faith,” she said.

The two sides have tussled over pay and job conditions — as Newsom refused to budge on a return-to-office order that sparked a furious backlash from state unions.

The union’s prior contract, which expired June 30, has yet to be replaced.

The labor group, which represents workers across multiple departments and agencies, accused state negotiators of unfair, “bad faith” bargaining.

“Instead of bargaining fairly on our proposals for fair pay, affordable health care and telework that works, the Newsom administration delayed negotiations, rejected many proposals at once, had a predetermined outcome, and… [avoided] negotiating,” Walls added.

Negotiations with the state began April 22, according to union officials, but they said the state has rejected proposals without offering any counter-proposals for a new contract.

Even if the majority of the union votes to strike, however, there is no guarantee it will happen.

The union would have to notify the state and Public Employment Relations Board on its strike intentions, and state could in response file a request with PERB to “protect critical public services.” The board would then determine if the strike is legal and appropriate before any strike can proceed.

The last time the union began a vote to strike was in 2016, but a labor agreement was reached days before the walkout was scheduled to begin.

The California Department of Human Resources said in a statement to CBS News that it has no comment on the union’s internal actions.

“The state will continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement,” the statement said. “If necessary, the state will explore all available options and implement those that reasonably protect critical public services.”

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