California state worker strike begins today

Perhaps today is not the best day to go to the DMV.

California state workers are planning a one-day strike today in multiple cities including Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. They’re protesting what they say are unfair labor practices by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration. The work stoppage could affect services at the DMV, unemployment offices and other departments. 

SEIU Local 1000 represents about 100,000 workers employed in dozens of agencies across the state. They’re accountants, government analysts, nurses, IT workers, custodians and more.

The union has been negotiating a new labor agreement since its contract expired on June 30, and is demanding better pay, more affordable healthcare coverage and more flexibility to work from home. 

CalHR, the state agency that handles state labor negotiations, said it “remains focused on achieving a fair and responsible agreement and continues to be available at the bargaining table.”

With as many as 95,000 union members eligible to strike, you may experience some delays in government services. DMV offices might close early, according to a department spokesperson. State parks could be affected, too, though rangers are not represented by Local 1000. Hearst Castle in San Luis Obispo County, for example, adjusted its tour schedule to accommodate people who already have reservations.

This may not be ideal from a customer service standpoint, but union president Anica Walls urges Californians “to give our employees some grace.”

The union is taking a risk with the strike, noted former state Senate President pro Tem Don Perata. He supports labor and wants the union to get a good deal. 

• Perata: “Somebody ought to pay attention to them. The strike costs those people a lot more than anyone else.”

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More on the labor fight: Local 1000 was once in Newsom’s corner, kicking in $1 million to help him fight a recall campaign. CalMatters’ Adam Ashton has more on what led to today’s strike, including the wage cuts that Newsom demanded to get out of a budget jam.