California's Largest State Worker Union Sets a One-Day Strike for Oct. 21. Here's What Could Be Affected

California's largest state worker union says it will walk off the job for one day on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in what would be the first strike in its history. SEIU Local 1000, which represents about 100,000 state employees across roughly 140 departments and agencies, announced Thursday, Oct. 8, that 96.2% of members who voted backed a strike.

What the dispute is about

The union's contract expired at the end of June, and it has been bargaining with Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration through CalHR, the state's human resources agency. SEIU Local 1000 is seeking better pay, more affordable health coverage and more flexible telework rules as the state pushes employees back to the office, according to CalMatters and KCRA.

The union calls the walkout an unfair practice strike. It filed a charge with the Public Employment Relations Board in July accusing CalHR of bad-faith bargaining, and CalMatters reported that the board concluded in late September that CalHR had refused to meet and confer in good faith. The union argues the state can afford more, pointing to growth in general fund spending.

What Californians might notice

Union president Anica Walls has said a strike could delay services at the DMV and at the state's unemployment and disability insurance offices, according to CalMatters. The Porterville Recorder noted that workers deemed essential for public safety, patient care or institutional operations could be barred from walking out. If you have a DMV appointment or a claim issue that can wait, it may be worth avoiding Oct. 21.

In Sacramento, the union plans morning picket lines at worksites followed by a rally at CalHR's headquarters on 16th Street, according to the union and KCRA. Members across the state, including at Bay Area state offices, are being directed to local strike lines.

Could it be called off?

Yes. A deal before Oct. 21 would avert the walkout. The union came close to striking in 2016 before reaching a last-minute agreement with then-Gov. Jerry Brown. With Newsom in his final months in office, both sides are under pressure to settle, but as of Oct. 9 no agreement had been announced.