Amid a stall in contract negotiations with the state of California, members of the Service Employees International Union gathered in front of the California Department of Transportation building in the Bay Area to stage an informational picket.
According to Anica Walls, union president for SEIU Local 1000, the union has been without a contract since July 1, when demands for a pay increase, affordable healthcare, retirement benefits, and the ability to telework were not agreed upon between the union and California Department of Human Resources, or CALHR. “Our members are frustrated with the offer that was passed at the table,” Walls said. “[Our demands] we’re hit with a bunch of zeros, which is obviously not a nonstarter for our members, especially given that our state employees have continued to show up for California.” In March of 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring state employees to return to office at least four days a week beginning July 1, 2025. The order was postponed to July 1, 2026. This executive order was especially provoking to picketers, some of which held signs that read “Gavin Loves Traffic” and “Our mission includes protecting the environment.”
In response to questions on the status of negotiations, Angela Musallam, deputy director of communications for CALHR, said that the department respects the confidentiality of the bargaining process and does not speak on ongoing negotiations but remails committed to continuing to negotiate in good faith with union partners. Musallam added that union members would continue to receive their current salaries and benefits outlined in the existing contract until a new agreement is reached and ratified. Members of the California Association of Professional Scientists, United Auto Workers Local 1115 were also participants in Wednesday’s picket. Katrina Yarbrough, a member of the union, said the return to office demands were especially challenging, saying that for her, it would mean an additional five hours of commute time on public transit to get to and from work. “It completely uproots your life,” Yarbrough said, adding that working remotely “makes work-life balance more accessible to more people, especially people who moved so far away during the pandemic.”
Can His Imperial Majesty, Lame Duck, Emperor newsom, GROW A PAIR ? ? ?
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President Reagan, Air Traffic Controllers, – – – – – ring a bell ?
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Considering unions OWN democrat politicians in California,
look for a double digit pay raise and only 4 days a week in the office.
Beggars can’t be choosers! Should be counting your blessings that you are saving thousands of dollars in fuel costs to be able to work from home………………AND YOU STILL DEMANDED MORE.
Boo boo, you have to actually show up for work like everyone else in the real world has to. Quit if you don’t like the rules.
These state workers need to put on some big boy pants (and big girl pants) and to back to the office like the rest of us had to do a couple of years ago.
… imo … only if ALL appropriate businesses go back to WFH as during covid – so all workers can benefit from from it
Gavin needs them to drive so they pay more into
the gas tax money tree and for the high speed rail.
people continue to vote for him so now it’s time
to him the money.
Fire all that refuse to do their job which is defined by the employer not the employee. Covid was over more than 3 years ago so no excuses get your lazy behind into the office!
They were going to the office before the pandemic, so they can go back to the office now or find another job.
Get back to work you lazy ba$(ards!!!! I have worked 40’s (I know some have worked more, nothing but praise) since the start. Two weeks off during the lock down then back to work. No on owes you anything.