California State Workers Strike

California state workers began a one-day strike Wednesday, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to agree to a new contract that increases workers’ pay, ensures affordable healthcare access and allows more flexibility for remote work. SEIU Local 1000 hit the picket lines in cities across the state for the first time since the union’s founding in 2004. The union represents more than 100,000 workers, including auditors, nurses and counselors. The union wants the state to raise workers’ salaries by 20% over the next three years and increase the state contribution toward employees’ healthcare costs. It opposes a mandate by Newsom requiring state workers to report to the office four days a week.