Thousands of California state employees began a one-day strike after contract negotiations with Governor Gavin Newsom's administration failed to produce an agreement. SEIU Local 1000, which represents more than 100,000 public workers, is demanding a 20% wage increase over three years, higher employer contributions toward healthcare, and greater flexibility to work remotely. The union also criticized the state's four-day in-office requirement and accused officials of failing to bargain in good faith after its contract expired in June. The walkout marks the union's first strike since its founding in 2004, highlighting growing tensions over compensation and workplace flexibility in the public sector.
See "California state workers begin 1-day strike over return-to-office mandate, pay and healthcare", Sophie Austin, AP News, October 21, 2026