‘Give us a raise or let us save money’: California state workers go on strike over pay, healthcare, and Gavin Newsom’s return-to-work mandate

California state workers initiated a one-day strike on Wednesday, demanding the state administration to accept a new contract that raises their pay, guarantees affordable healthcare, and permits flexible remote work arrangements. The Service Employees International Union Local 1000, the largest union representing over 100,000 state government employees including auditors, nurses, and counselors, staged the picket lines in various cities across the state for the first time since its inception in 2004.

The union's decision came after a majority of its members voted to authorize the strike earlier this month, citing the state's failure to negotiate in good faith following the expiration of their contract in June. Anica Walls, the union's president, expressed the workers' dissatisfaction with the Newsom administration, stating that they should "return to the table and bargain in good faith toward a contract that allows state workers to afford groceries, childcare, rent, and other necessities."

The strike follows an order by Governor Gavin Newsom mandating state workers to return to the office four days per week starting July 1. The governor argued that the mandate would enhance workplace collaboration and innovation, ultimately benefiting the public. In response, Newsom vetoed a union-backed bill last month that would have required state agencies to provide written explanations for requiring workers to report to the office.

The California Department of Human Resources informed that they were coordinating with the union and state departments, all of which have contingency plans in case the strike disrupts government operations. The department emphasized that they remained focused on achieving a fair and responsible agreement and remained available at the bargaining table.

The union contends that remote work saves the state money that would otherwise be spent on office space and promotes work-life balance for employees. Additionally, the union is advocating for a 20% salary increase over the next three years and an increased state contribution towards employees' healthcare costs. Josh Guile, a worker for the secretary of state's office and leader of a labor council within the union, rallied alongside members during the protest in Sacramento, expressing their discontent and demanding a fair contract.

Jessica Brooks, an innovation analyst at the State's Department of Health Care Services, also joined the picket lines, emphasizing that the state must either provide a raise or allow workers to save money by working from home.