California state workers to strike Wednesday, potentially disrupting DMV and other services

SEIU Local 1000's first statewide walkout in 44 years over pay, healthcare, and remote work

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Tens of thousands of California state government workers are expected to walk off the job Wednesday in a one-day strike that could disrupt services at the Department of Motor Vehicles, unemployment offices and state parks. Members of SEIU Local 1000, the state's largest public employee union representing about 100,000 workers, are protesting what they call bad-faith bargaining by Governor Gavin Newsom's administration as negotiations for a new contract have stalled.

The strike, the first statewide walkout in the union's 44-year history, comes after the latest three-year contract expired on June 30. The union represents roughly half of the state's workforce, including accountants, nurses, IT workers and custodians across dozens of agencies.

Union president Anica Walls said workers are frustrated after the governor demanded wage cuts in three of eight years, which she said negated the last 3 percent salary increase. The union is pushing for better pay, more affordable healthcare and greater flexibility to work from home, pushing back against Newsom's return-to-office mandate.

If the strike proceeds, DMV offices may still be open but could close early or see delays, a department spokesperson said. Similar impacts are expected at the Employment Development Department and CalFresh. State parks could be affected even though rangers are not represented by Local 1000; Hearst Castle has adjusted tour schedules for reserved visitors.

About 95,000 of the union's members can legally participate. The remaining 5,000 workers deemed essential to public health or safety are excluded. These include nurses at veterans homes, cooks at state prisons, Caltrans dispatchers and employees at the departments of corrections, developmental services and state hospitals.

The dispute escalated in July when the union filed a complaint with the Public Employment Relations Board, accusing the California Department of Human Resources of delaying negotiations and rejecting proposals outright. Last month the board sided with the union, concluding that CalHR 'refused to meet and confer in good faith.'

In response, CalHR deputy director of communications Angela Musallam said in a statement that 'the state has been and remains open to negotiation' and is prepared to enter mediation. CalHR also filed its own unfair practice complaint seeking to stop the strike, arguing the union had not initially identified which essential workers would be excluded. The union disputed that, and the board rejected CalHR's injunction request last week.

Union members will hold demonstrations in more than a dozen cities including Sacramento, where they plan to march to lawmakers' offices near the Capitol. Both sides are scheduled for mediation talks on October 30. Walls said that if the administration continues what the union views as bad-faith bargaining, the union will 'escalate' its actions, potentially including further strikes.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The strike directly affects millions of Californians who rely on DMV, unemployment benefits and state park services daily.
It tests the strength of public sector unions in a state where labor has been a key political force, amid a tight budget and friction over remote work.
The outcome could set a precedent for other state employee negotiations and influence how the Newsom administration handles labor relations.

Background

SEIU Local 1000 represents about 100,000 public workers, making it the largest union in California state government. Its contract expired June 30 after three years. Negotiations grew contentious as the union accused Governor Newsom's administration of not bargaining in good faith. The Public Employment Relations Board agreed with the union last month, finding that CalHR had refused to meet and confer properly. The union authorized a strike earlier this month after what it described as years of stalled talks and pay concessions.

Key Perspectives

Union (SEIU Local 1000): President Anica Walls says workers need a living wage, affordable healthcare and flexible telework options. She argues the governor's budget demands have undercut previous raises and that the administration has not negotiated fairly. Walls urged the public to understand the strike is about standing up for the working class, not just state employees. Newsom administration (CalHR): Deputy director Angela Musallam says the state remains open to negotiation and is willing to use mediation. CalHR filed its own complaint to block the strike, arguing the union failed to properly identify essential workers; the labor board rejected that request. Critics and observers: Some may question the timing and impact of a one-day walkout, but the union's strong authorization vote and the labor board's findings lend it legal and political weight.

What to Watch

Mediation scheduled for October 30 and whether either side signals a breakthrough.
Whether the union escalates to longer or repeated strikes if talks fail.
How the strike affects public opinion and whether services see major disruptions that prompt legislative attention.

Sources

California state workers are about to strike. What that means for the DMV, EDD, parks and more · CalMatters

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedTens of thousands of California state workers are expected to walk out Wednesday for one day, potentially affecting DMV, unemployment-office and state-park services.CalMatters: “Tens of thousands of state government workers are expected to walk off the job Wednesday in a one-day strike that could affect services at the DMV, unemployment offices and more.”
SupportedThe strike would be SEIU Local 1000’s first statewide walkout in its 44-year history, over pay, healthcare and remote work.CalMatters: “the strike would be Local 1000’s first statewide walkout in its 44-year history.”
SupportedSEIU Local 1000 represents about 100,000 public workers and is the state’s largest public employee union.CalMatters: “In summary California state government’s largest union is scheduled to strike this week.”
Not in the sourcesNegotiations for a new contract have stalled.CalMatters
SupportedThe latest three-year contract expired on June 30.CalMatters: “The union has been negotiating a new labor agreement since its latest three-year contract expired on June 30”
Partly supportedNewsom demanded wage cuts in three of the eight years he led the state, and the cuts negated the last 3% salary increase.CalMatters: “Many state workers are frustrated with Newsom, who has demanded wage cuts to help balance the budget in three of the eight years he’s led the state. These cuts essentially negated the last 3% salary increase he gave Local 1000 members.”
SupportedAbout 95,000 members can legally participate, while the remaining 5,000 are excluded as essential workers.CalMatters: “95,000 workers would be able to participate in the strike. The remaining 5,000 workers are legally excluded from the strike, because their absence “would create an imminent and substantial threat to public health or safety,” according to the union.”
SupportedThe labor board concluded that CalHR “refused to meet and confer in good faith.”CalMatters: “Last month the labor board sided with the union and concluded that CalHR “refused to meet and confer in good faith.””
Partly supportedCalHR deputy director of communications Angela Musallam made the quoted comment in a statement.CalMatters: “Angela Musallam, CalHR’s deputy director of communications, said in an email to CalMatters that “the state has been and remains open to negotiation””
SupportedThe board rejected CalHR’s request for an injunction last week.CalMatters: “The board sided with the union last week, rejecting CalHR’s request for an injunction.”
SupportedBoth sides are scheduled for mediation on October 30, and Walls said the union may escalate its actions, potentially including another strike.CalMatters: “Both parties are scheduled to meet for mediation talks on Oct. 30. For now the union is planning to only strike on Wednesday, but Walls said that if the Newsom administration continues to engage in bad-faith bargaining, the union will “escalate” its actions. This could include filing another complaint with the labor board, and potentially holding another strike.”